Hierarchical ZSM-5 nanocrystal aggregates: seed-induced green synthesis and its application in alkylation of phenol with tert-butanol

Hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolite aggregates were synthesized in an organic-template-free system via seed-induced crystallization. The obtained samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N(2) adsorption–desorption, NH(3) temperature-programmed desorption (NH(3)-TPD) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The prepared ZSM-5 nanocrystalline aggregates possessed open/accessible hierarchical pores and active sites, showing significant advantages in the catalytic alkylation of phenol with tert-butanol. The obtained materials could maintain the activities of the nanocrystal zeolites and meanwhile could be easily separated or recovered during the preparation and reactions. This approach was simple and also overcame the commonly-seen drawbacks such as the exceeded use of specific templates or secondary templates during the synthesis of the hierarchical zeolites.