A novel approach to synthesize ZSM-23 zeolite involving N,N-dimethylformamide

A novel synthesis approach for ZSM-23 zeolite involving N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) was reported. Multi-techniques, such as XRD, XRF, SEM, TG–DTA, FT-IR, and GC–MS, were employed to investigate the roles of DMF during the synthesis process. It was found that DMF served as template precursor and hydrolyzed to produce dimethylamine (DMA), which acted as the actual structure-directing agent in the crystallization period of ZSM-23 zeolite. At the same time, the complexes of DMF with aluminum ion were formed in the synthesis system. The complexation effect of DMF with aluminum ion promoted nucleation and crystallization of the zeolite. Due to the synergistic effects of the complexation effect between aluminum ion and DMF and the structure-directing effect of DMA in-situ generated by hydrolyzation of DMF, ZSM-23 zeolite could be synthesized in a broad SiO2/Al2O3 range.