The Synthesis and Properties of Two Catalytically Important Zeolites

Abstract

With his discovery of stilbite in 1756, Cronstedt [1] recognized the existence of a new group of minerals consisting of hydrated “aluminosilicates” of the alkali and alkaline earth cations. While several members of the group may have similar or nearly identical compositions, each possesses its own, unique crystal structure. At present there are 35 known naturally occurring zeolites. The crystal structures have been determined for 27 and all but about 10 have been prepared synthetically. This paper will present the definition of zeolites and focus on the synthesis and physicochemical properties of two catalytically and commercially important synthetic zeolites, zeolite Y and zeolite ZSM-5.