Cutting-edge Insights into Zeolite Synthesis Mechanisms

Zeolites, as a class of representative microporous materials, have attracted significant attention for their uniform and ordered pore structures, excellent hydrothermal stability, and diverse active sites. They are widely applied in heterogeneous catalysis, adsorption, separation, and ion exchange. Due to the inherent diffusion limitations present in micropores, the preparation of novel extra-large pore zeolites and hierarchical zeolitic materials is critical to speed up intrapore diffusion and then enhance the catalytic performance. In addition, limited zeolite topologies are insufficient to satisfy the demands of the diverse catalytic field. Preparing novel topologies to enrich the zeolite database and providing excellent candidate catalysts for heterogeneous catalysis are crucial. In this chapter, we focus on the preparation of zeolites with extra-large pores, micro-mesoporous hierarchical structures, and novel topologies by hydrothermal synthesis and post-treatment strategies. We attempt to extract relevant insights from case studies to provide guidance for the design of novel zeolite materials in the future.