Abstract: Synthesis of hollow spheres consisting of ZSM-5 zeolite crystals, prepared by a cost- and time-saving self-templating process, requires neither a hard/soft template for sphere formation nor tetraalkylammonium compound as a zeolite structure-directing agent. A preshaped aluminosilicate precursor, obtained by spray drying of a mixture of colloidal solution of silicic acid and aluminum butoxide, plays the role of a shape-directing agent for the formation of spheres, and is used as a source of silica and alumina for zeolite growth. The zeolite structure is directed using ZSM-5 seeds. This method yielded highly stable hollow spheres with diameters of 15–25 μm, consisting of inter-grown ZSM-5 crystals (Si/Al 14) with a size of 0.5–2.0 μm.

Pashkova V., Tokarova V., Brabec L., Dedecek J.: “Self-templating synthesis of hollow spheres of zeolite ZSM-5 from spray-dried aluminosilicate precursor”, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 228 (2016) 59-63.