An efficient microwave-assisted chelation (MWAC) post-synthetic modification method to produce hierarchical Y zeolites.

We report a low-cost, highly energy efficient microwave-assisted chelation (MWAC) method, which enabled the post-synthetic modification of synthetic zeolites for adopting hierarchical structures within minutes. Exemplified by Zeolite Y, hierarchical Y zeolites prepared in this way showed exceptional specific external surface areas of >300 m2 g−1 and mesopore volumes of >0.46 cm3 g−1. Comparative assessments revealed that developed zeolites have shown significantly improved catalytic activities for catalysis involving large substrates, such as catalytic cracking and hydrocracking of plastics. Image 1 • Efficient post-synthetic modification method under microwave irradiation for making hierarchical Y zeolites. • Combination of microwave and chelation to make intracrystalline mesopores in Y zeolites. • The developed method shows significantly reduced energy consumption and improved mesoporosity. • The resulting hierarchical Y zeolites show the improved catalytic activities in catalytic cracking and hydrocracking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]