Synthesis of hierarchical micro-mesoporous ZSM-5 zeolite and its catalytic activity in benzylation of mesitylene

Abstract

Abstract Hierarchical micro-mesoporous ZSM-5 (MFI type) zeolite was synthesized by using corn plant stem pith powder from agricultural waste as hard template under simple hydrothermal method. The additional porosity generated using this pith powder into the zeolites precursor gel yielded hierarchical micro-mesoporous ZSM-5 zeolite (C-ZSM-5). Conventional microporous ZSM-5 (ConvZSM-5) was prepared. The prepared C-ZSM-5 zeolite exhibited 89% conversion, much greater than ConvZSM-5 (33%). Selectivity in the formation of 2-Benzyl-1, 3,5-trimethylbenzene, by benzylation with C-ZSM-5 (70%) is more than two times than ConvZSM-5 (33%). This benzylation can be used as a test reaction to evidence the hierarchical micro-mesoporous nature of the material. The product was further confirmed by 1HNMR and 13CNMR.The hierarchical pores present in the catalyst further improved the stability of the zeolites.