No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The present work describes the utilization of high-silica kaolinite for the synthesis of zeolite ZSM-5 with different SiO2/Al2O3 ratios. The new synthetic method, which involves acid–base activation of metakaolinite, is most suitable for the production of high-silica zeolites. The process starts with the conversion of kaolinite to metakaolinite, which is then dealuminated with sulfuric acid with varying concentrations. A relationship between the acid concentration and the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio in the final product was established. The dealuminated kaolinite was hydrothermally treated with alkali to obtain phase-pure ZSM-5. The zeolites were characterized by XRF, XRD, SEM, and N2 physisorption. The sodium form of the zeolite was converted to the acid form for application in catalytic dehydration of alcohols. The catalytic activity of the zeolite was tested in the dehydration of 1-phenylethanol into styrene. The results reveal a selective formation of styrene in high yield that reaches up to 95%.

No abstract