Synthesis and crystallization mechanism of nano-sized zeolite beta aggregates via aerosol-assisted method

Nano-sized zeolite Beta aggregates with interparticle mesopores were synthesized by the aerosol-assisted method. The amorphous powders in the Na 2 O–Al 2 O 3 −SiO 2 system, which was obtained from an aerosol drying process, were used as the precursor. The zeolite was crystallized in a high concentration system with high alkalinity. This can not only improve the autoclave utilization and the crystallization rate, but also reduce the amount of both template and waste water. The obtained zeolite Beta is spherical nano-aggregates with interparticle mesopores. It shows high BET surface area and good Al species distribution. The study on crystallization process indicated that the precursor gradually dissolved under the strong alkaline condition and the nano-sized zeolite crystals were formed in the liquid phase as time prolonged. Therefore, the transformation mechanism mainly followed the liquid-phase mechanism. More importantly, the zeolite beta synthesized by aerosol-assisted method exhibited good catalytic activity and stability in the cracking reaction of 1,3,5-TIPB.