High-silica FAU zeolite through controllable framework modulation for VOCs adsorption under high humidity

Although FAU zeolites have been widely used as absorbents for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) removal, preparation of high-silica FAU zeolite to expand its application under high humidity is still a big challenge. Here, two high-silica FAU zeolites were successfully prepared through the controllable framework modulation strategy. By carefully matching the degrees of dealumination and Si-insertion, the zeolite (FAU-H) with an ultra-high SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 957 was obtained. FAU-H exhibited similar high adsorption capacities of VOCs (e.g. m-xylene and toluene) under dry and humid conditions, more importantly, its adsorption capacity of m-xylene was 25% higher than the industrial high-silica FAU zeolite (HSZ-390HUA) from Tosoh Corporation. When the dealumination degree was mismatched with that of Si-insertion, imperfect FAU-M (SiO2/Al2O3 = 108) with the existence of some defect sites was obtained that becomes a good candidate for the adsorption removal of small VOCs molecules (e.g. isopropanol). The moderate interaction between VOCs and zeolite framework is proved a key factor for small molecules adsorption on basis of the DFT calculations. Moreover, the fitted kinetic models, desorption tests, and adsorption-desorption cycling tests proved the good regenerability of FAU-H and FAU-M. Therefore, the proposed high-silica FAU zeolites are promising adsorbents for VOCs removal.