Recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of zeolite crystallization: a review

Crystalline zeolites are highly ordered inorganic microporous materials widely used in catalysis, ion exchange, gas separation and biomass conversion. The investigation of crystal growth pathways and mechanisms is needed to enhance the performance of zeolites. However, understanding these mechanisms is highly challenging, as zeolites usually grow in a closed autoclave, which is known as a “black box”. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the progress made in understanding the crystallization mechanism of zeolites in recent years and summarizes the application of advanced characterization in studying these issues. Emphasis is placed on the host-guest interaction and crystallization kinetics during the zeolite crystallization process.