Direct evidence of the effect of synthesis conditions on aluminum siting in zeolite ferrierite: A 27Al MQ MAS NMR study

•Ferrierite samples with controlled Al distribution have been synthesized.•In our synthesis strategy, different combinations of template molecules are employed.•FTIR-monitored pyridine adsorption had given indirect evidence of a modified Al distribution.•27Al NMR unequivocally shows that Al distribution can be controlled with our strategy.

The tailoring of the aluminum distribution over the various T sites in zeolites remains a major challenge. By using differing combinations of templating molecules, we managed to control the aluminum siting over the T sites as identified by 27Al MQ MAS NMR in samples of the same Si/Al ratio. This is unique evidence of a modified aluminum distribution in samples prepared following a strategy to tailor the location of aluminum in the zeolite ferrierite framework.

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