Cooperative Interplay of Micropores/Mesopores of Hierarchical Zeolite in Chemical Production

Abstract

Zeolites are crystalline microporous aluminosilicates that play a crucial role as solid acid catalysts in refinery and petrochemical processes. Over the past decades, hierarchical zeolites containing secondary mesopores in addition to micropores have been extensively investigated to mitigate the mass transfer limitations of conventional zeolites and improve the catalytic activity, selectivity, and longevity. The hierarchical structuring of zeolites not only improves mass transfer but also changes the distribution of acid sites and adsorption of reaction intermediates, which collectively affect the final catalytic properties of zeolites. In this Perspective, we will discuss the distinctive structural features of hierarchical zeolites compared to conventional ones, as well as their catalytic consequences in industrially relevant reactions for efficient fuel and chemical production.