Effects of the crystallization time on the synthesis of zeolite with flower-shaped crystals

• How "flowers" bloom in zeolite.
• The zeolite was crystallized in flower-shape at 3 days.
• Flower-shaped zeolite has potential as a catalyst.

A new zeolite with flower-shaped crystals (abbreviated as ZPA) as a catalyst support was synthesized through hydrothermal preparation method. Effects of the crystallization time on the materials were discussed. Prepared samples were characterized by XRD, BET and TEM. Results show that different shapes of zeolite crystals were observed with different crystallization times. In particular, 3-day-long crystallization resulted in flower-shaped crystals with the smallest crystal size and the largest surface area compared with other samples. The flower-shaped crystallized zeolite can be advantageously used as a catalyst support for catalytic reactions.