The hydrothermal stability
of 1-D medium pore zeolites ZSM-22 with different nominal Si/Al ratios
(30, 46, 80, and 100) was investigated in hot liquid water environments
at different temperatures (100, 150, 200, and 250 °C) and different
exposure times (6, 12, 36, 72, and 144 h). The changes in the zeolite
structure, phase transformation, and textural properties were characterized
by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, 27Al
and 29Si magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance,
temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia, IR spectra, and X-ray
fluorescence. After the treatment in a hot water environment, TON
framework suffered from desilication (silicon extraction), phase transformation,
and crystallinity change. The degree of desilication via siloxane
hydrolysis is dependent on the treatment time and temperature. At
high temperature (250 °C), severe desilication, textural properties
degradation, and formation of extra-framework Al species (EFAL) were
observed. This formed EFAL worked as a covering layer protecting the
venerable Si bonds and mitigated further leaching of Si species from
TON framework with time progress. On the contrary, selective removal
of Si species at temperatures lower than 250 °C was observed
without the appearance of EFAL.