Hierarchically structured MFI zeolite monolith prepared using agricultural waste as solid template

• Zeolite monoliths were prepared using corn and sorghum stem piths.
• The stem piths act as sacrificial solid template.
• The zeolite monoliths possess micro-, meso-, and macro-pores.
• H-ZSM-5 monolith showed improved catalytic performance in esterification.

Hierarchically structured MFI zeolite monoliths were prepared using corn and sorghum stem piths as sacrificial solid templates. The monoliths were characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM, N2 adsorption, mercury porosimetry, 27Al MAS NMR and NH3-TPD. The textural porosity characterization results indicated presence of micropores, mesopores and macropores in the monoliths. H-ZSM-5 monolith prepared by this method exhibited superior catalytic performance than conventional H-ZSM-5, mesoporous H-ZSM-5 and mesoporous Al-SBA-15 in esterification of benzyl alcohol with hexanoic acid. The superior catalytic performance of the zeolite monolith is due to hierarchical nature of the pores present in it.

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