Using Ultrasound to Improve the Sequential Post-Synthesis Modification Method for Making Mesoporous Y Zeolites

Mesoporous Y zeolites were prepared by the sequential chemical dealumination (using chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, H4EDTA, and citric acid aqueous solutions) and alkaline desilication (using sodium hydroxide, NaOH, aqueous solutions) treatments. Specifically, the ultrasound-assisted alkaline treatment (i.e. ultrasonic treatment) was proposed as the alternative to conventional alkaline treatments which are performed under hydrothermal conditions. In comparison with the hydrothermal alkaline treatment, the ultrasonic treatment showed the comparatively enhanced efficiency (with the reduced treatment time, i.e. 5 min vs. 30 min, all with 0.2 M NaOH at 65 C) in treating the dealuminated Y zeolites for creating mesoporosity. For example, after the treatment of a dealuminated zeolite Y (using 0.1 M H4EDTA at 100 C for 6 h), the ultrasonic treatment produced the mesoporous zeolite Y with the specific external surface area (Sexternal) of 160 m2 g−1 and mesopore volume (Vmeso) of 0.22 cm3 g−1, being slightly higher than that by the conventional method (i.e. Sexternal = 128 m2 g−1 and Vmeso = 0.19 cm3 g−1). The acidic property and catalytic activity (in catalytic cracking of n-octane) of mesoporous Y zeolites obtained by the two methods were comparable. The ultrasonic desilication treatment was found to be generic, also being effective to treat the dealuminated Y zeolites by citric acid. Additionally, the first step of chemical dealumination treatment was crucial to enable the effective creation of mesopores in the parent Y zeolite (with silicon-to-aluminium ratio, Si/Al = 2.6) regardless the subsequent alkaline desilication treatment (i.e. ultrasonic or hydrothermal). Therefore, appropriate selection of the condition of the chemical dealumination treatment based on the property of parent zeolites, such as Si/Al ratios and crystallinity, is important for making mesoporous zeolites effectively.