LAUSR

Abstract A seed-assisted method enabled the fast synthesis of submicron ZSM-5 from acid-leached illite without the use of any organic templates. In addition, the effects of illite activation temperature, synthesis temperature, synthesis time, Na2O/SiO2 ratio, SiO2/Al2O3, and the amount of commercial seed were investigated. The synthesized zeolite materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and NH3 temperature-programmed desorption. Under these study conditions, submicron-sized ZSM-5 zeolites were synthesized in a relatively short time of 3 h. The relative crystallinity of the ZSM-5 zeolite obtained was up to 115%, and the quartz impurity was kept to a minimum. Aluminium in the framework of zeolite is capable of providing acidic sites. The prepared ZSM-5 zeolite showed a slightly better catalytic performance in toluene disproportionation than ZSM-5 seeds. In addition, different commercial ZSM-5 zeolites could be utilized as seeds, including self-made zeolite crystals.