Synthesis of hierarchical nano-crystalline zeolite beta using biomass-derived hard templates

Mesoporous nano-crystalline zeolite beta was prepared via hydrothermal synthesis and the effect of carbohydrates as a hard template was studied. The monosaccharide, disaccharide, polysaccharide and cyclic oligosaccharide type of carbohydrates were used as a secondary template. These modified beta zeolites were characterised by XRD, SEM and N2 physisorption. The polysaccharide and oligosaccharide types of carbohydrates show a significant mesoporosity generation in nano-crystalline zeolite beta where as monosaccharide and disaccharide types of carbohydrates alter the pH of gel and lead to the amorphous phase. The XRD and SEM results confirmed the formation of nano-crystalline zeolite beta. N2 adsorption/desorption results showed the generation of the mesoporosity in nano-crystalline zeolite beta. Advantages of using the biomass-derived hard-templates have been brought out.