Methods for making nano-sized mesoporous zeolite beta that utilize hdyrothermal treatments to re-insert aluminum and increase crystallinity

Abstract

Described herein are nano-sized mesoporous zeolite Beta that may be made by a method that includes producing a precursor nano-sized zeolite Beta by a process including hydrothermally treating a mixture including a templating agent, a silica source material, an alumina source material, and water. The method may further include calcining the nano-sized zeolite Beta precursor to form a calcined nano-sized mesoporous zeolite Beta intermediate, wherein the calcining may be at a temperature of from 400° C. to 650° C. The calcining may remove framework aluminum from the nano-sized zeolite Beta precursor. The calcined nano-sized mesoporous zeolite Beta intermediate may have a lesser relative crystallinity than the nano-sized zeolite Beta precursor. The method may further include mixing the calcined nano-sized mesoporous zeolite Beta intermediate with water, and hydrothermally treating the calcined nano-sized mesoporous zeolite Beta intermediate to from the nano-sized mesoporous zeolite Beta. The hydrothermal treatment of the calcined nano-sized mesoporous zeolite Beta intermediate may be at a temperature of from 100° C. to 350° C., wherein no additional water is added to the calcined nano-sized mesoporous zeolite Beta intermediate during the hydrothermal treatment. The hydrothermal treatment may re-inserts aluminum into the framework of the calcined nano-sized mesoporous zeolite Beta intermediate. The nano-sized mesoporous zeolite Beta may have greater relative crystallinity than the calcined nano-sized mesoporous zeolite Beta intermediate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.