Synthesis and characterization of colloidal zoned MFI crystals

Colloidal zoned MFI crystals, i.e., continuous crystals with a compositional gradient resulting in a ZSM-5 core covered with a silicalite-1 shell, were synthesized by the addition of ZSM-5 seeds to a silicalite-1 synthesis solution. The effect of the surface aluminum content of the ZSM-5 crystals on the synthesis of the zoned MFI crystals was investigated using SEM, TEM, XPS and XRD. An acid treatment of the ZSM-5 seeds, which removed some of the aluminum at the surface, proved favorable for the synthesis of zoned MFI crystals.