In situ and post-synthesis control of physicochemical properties of FER-type crystals

•FER-type zeolites were synthesized in three different initial systems.•Seeds were used to decrease zeolite crystals size.•Secondary pores in zeolite crystals were formed by etching with HF-NH4F solutions.•Crystal morphology of obtained materials was studied.•Physicochemical properties of zeolites were studied by complementary methods.

FER-type zeolites were synthesized in the presence of Na-Ethylendiamine (Na–En), Na–Pyrrolidine (Na–Py) and Na–K. The crystallization times varied between 96 and 240 h. Ferrierite harvested from the Na–En synthesis was also used as seeds and reduced crystallization time from 240 to 30 h. The product of seeded synthesis was not uniform: nanosized with micronsized crystals as well as complex aggregates of different sizes were obtained. Hierarchical FER-type zeolites were prepared using seeded Na–En synthesized FER as a parent. Secondary pores in zeolite crystals were formed by etching at room temperature with HF-NH4F containing solutions, using the HF concentration and treatment time as variables. Crystal morphology and physicochemical characteristics of micron-, nano-sized and hierarchical FER-type crystals were studied by complementary methods including: X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetry (TG/dTG), 27Al and 29Si MAS NMR, IR spectroscopy of adsorbed probe molecules (Pyridine, Acetonitrile and Lutidine), nitrogen adsorption and chemical analysis. We demonstrate that FER-type zeolites with pre-determined properties can be easily prepared.

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