Synthesis of finned zeolite crystals

A method for preparing finned zeolite crystals, comprising:

• preparing a secondary growth solution for epitaxial growth of finned protrusions from zeolite seed crystals, wherein the secondary growth solution comprises framework source precursors, one or more structure-directing agents, and a hydroxide source, wherein the framework source precursors comprise a silica source and an alumina source;
• adding the zeolite seed crystals in an amount of about 5 to about 30 weight percent of the secondary growth solution to produce a seeded growth solution for post-synthesis modification of the zeolite seed crystals;
• heating the seeded growth solution to a temperature of about 100° C. to about 170° C. for about 6 to about 48 hours, to produce epitaxially grown fins on the zeolite seed crystals in the seeded growth solution;
• quenching the seeded growth solution to room temperature to produce a final growth solution;
• and
• isolating finned zeolite crystals from the final growth solution, wherein the finned zeolite crystals comprise a zeolite seed crystal portion and a plurality of epitaxially grown fins extending from outer surfaces of the zeolite seed crystal portion, wherein the zeolite seed crystal portion comprises the zeolite seed crystals from the seeded growth solution, wherein the zeolite seed crystal portion has a characteristic size of β, wherein the epitaxially grown fins have a characteristic size of α, wherein β is greater than α, wherein a is less than about 50 nm, wherein the zeolite seed crystal portion comprises a single crystallographic registry, wherein the zeolite seed crystal portion comprises a network of pores, wherein the epitaxially grown fins comprise a single crystallographic registry that is identical to the single crystallographic registry of the zeolite seed crystal portion, and wherein the epitaxially grown fins comprise a network of pores that is continuous with the network of pores of the zeolite seed crystal portion.