title: Template-free nanosized faujasite-type zeolites.
abstract: Nanosized faujasite (FAU) crystals have great potential as catalysts or adsorbents to more efficiently process present and forthcoming synthetic and renewable feedstocks in oil refining, petrochemistry and fine chemistry. Here, we report the rational design of template-free nanosized FAU zeolites with exceptional properties, including extremely small crystallites (10-15 nm) with a narrow particle size distribution, high crystalline yields (above 80%), micropore volumes (0.30 cm(3) g(-1)) comparable to their conventional counterparts (micrometre-sized crystals), Si/Al ratios adjustable between 1.1 and 2.1 (zeolites X or Y) and excellent thermal stability leading to superior catalytic performance in the dealkylation of a bulky molecule, 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene, probing sites mostly located on the external surface of the nanosized crystals. Another important feature is their excellent colloidal stability, which facilitates a uniform dispersion on supports for applications in catalysis, sorption and thin-to-thick coatings.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Catalyse et Spectrochimie (LCS), CNRS, ENSICAEN, Université de Caen, 6 boulevard du Maréchal Juin, 14050 Caen, France.
authors.forename: Hussein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Awala
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Catalyse et Spectrochimie (LCS), CNRS, ENSICAEN, Université de Caen, 6 boulevard du Maréchal Juin, 14050 Caen, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gilson
authors.affiliation: CRISMAT, CNRS, ENSICAEN, Université de Caen, 6 boulevard du Maréchal Juin, 14050 Caen, France.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Retoux
authors.affiliation: CRISMAT, CNRS, ENSICAEN, Université de Caen, 6 boulevard du Maréchal Juin, 14050 Caen, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boullay
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Catalyse et Spectrochimie (LCS), CNRS, ENSICAEN, Université de Caen, 6 boulevard du Maréchal Juin, 14050 Caen, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Goupil
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Catalyse et Spectrochimie (LCS), CNRS, ENSICAEN, Université de Caen, 6 boulevard du Maréchal Juin, 14050 Caen, France.
authors.forename: Valentin
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Valtchev
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Catalyse et Spectrochimie (LCS), CNRS, ENSICAEN, Université de Caen, 6 boulevard du Maréchal Juin, 14050 Caen, France.
authors.forename: Svetlana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mintova