title: Visualization of hierarchically structured zeolite bodies from macro to nano length scales.
abstract: A major challenge in the implementation of laboratory-designed catalysts is the scale-up into technically relevant forms. Advanced characterization is essential to understand and optimize catalyst assembly and function in industrial reactors. This Article presents an integrated approach to visualizing millimetre-sized extrudates and granules of a hierarchical MFI-type zeolite, displaying trimodal networks of micropores (0.56 nm), intracrystalline mesopores (∼10 nm) and macropores (∼200-300 nm). As exemplified for the conversion of methanol to olefins, the hierarchical zeolite yields a superior performance compared to its conventional analogue. The combination of dedicated specimen preparation with state-of-the-art optical, X-ray and electron-based microscopic and tomographic techniques proves a powerful methodology to reveal otherwise inaccessible information regarding structural organization over the whole range of length scales. It is expected that these tools will play a crucial role in the rationalization of scale-up principles in catalyst development.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Nina-Luisa
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Michels
authors.forename: Karsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kunze
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pérez-Ramírez
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D004583:Electrons; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D016062:Porosity; D017641:Zeolites / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D017641:Zeolites