Seed-assisted synthesis of hierarchical zeolite ZSM-5 in the absence of organic templates

Hierarchical zeolite ZSM-5 was synthesized by template-free seed-assisted technique. The influence of different synthesis conditions (such as temperature (120–200 ⁰С) and time (12–72 h) of the hydrothermal treatment, alkali content, the amount (0–20 wt%) and size (100–1000 nm) of seed crystals) on crystallinity and texture of hierarchical zeolite ZSM-5 was studied. Materials have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption measurements. The catalytic activity of synthesized samples was tested in the n-hexane cracking process and compared with the one of commercial ZSM-5.