Hierarchical Porous Zeolite ZSM-5/Graphene Nanosheets as Robust Heterogeneous Acid Catalysts

Abstract Quasi‐2D hierarchical porous nanosheets of zeolite ZSM‐5/graphene were synthesized as a robust heterogeneous acid catalyst. Electrochemically exfoliated graphene has strong interfacial effects on forming featured quasi‐2D layer of irregular 2‐50 nm pore size of mesoporous ZSM‐5 interconnected with 2D layer of 0.7 nm microporous zeolite. Graphene could support structural, compositional and morphological modifications of ZSM‐5 with enhanced Brønsted acidic sites accessible as well as improved mass transfer and stability. The ZSM‐5/graphene catalyst with 24wt% graphene exhibited superior catalytic activity for several organic reactions including some bulky molecules, and it can be used repetitively over 15 times without a significant loss of activity.