The synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of the hierarchical TS-1 with the intracrystalline voids and grooves

•Hierarchical TS-1 with grooves and intracrystalline voids was prepared by combined-treatment with TPAOH and NaOH.•The secondary pore volume increased with increasing NaOH concentration.•When NaOH was no more than 0.1 M, the accessibility of the active sites, catalytic activity and H2O2 efficiency was improved.

Hierarchical TS-1 with grooves and intracrystalline voids was prepared by TPAOH/NaOH treatment. With increasing NaOH concentration, the dissolution–recrystallization process was intensified, the relative crystallinity and microporous properties decreased, the secondary pore volume increased. Although the dissolved species could be recrystallized, Na+ prevented the titanium incorporation, which increased the extra-framework titanium content. In phenol hydroxylation, improved activity and H2O2 efficiency were achieved when NaOH was no more than 0.1 mol/L, which may be a result of the positive influences of the secondary pores. At higher NaOH concentration (> 0.1 mol/L), the activity and H2O2 efficiency decreased due to the negative influences of the non-framework titanium.

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