Synthesis of atomically dispersed cationic nickel-confined mesoporous ZSM-48 (ANMZ-48) directed by metal complexes in amphiphilic molecules

The synthesis of mesoporous zeolite-anchored atomically dispersed metal catalysts (ADCs) is a considerable challenge in chemistry and materials science. Here we report the synthesis of atomically dispersed cationic nickel-confined mesoporous ZSM-48 (ANMZ-48) by in situ hydrothermal reaction employing a designed tri-functional metal complex template, by which the triquaternary ammonium groups in the hydrophilic region direct the formation of ZSM-48 zeolite; the aromatic groups in the hydrophobic tail generate the mesopores through pi-pi stacking; and the complexes formed by nickel ions coordinated with terpyridyl groups generate atomically dispersed Ni2+ confined in zeolite frameworks due to the strong sintering resistance generated by the strong coordination interaction. The ANMZ-48 is consisting of stacking of sheet-like ZSM-48 domains connected by multiply crystal twinning sharing the common (011) plane, generating abundant of imbedded mesopores with the uniform thickness of similar to 2.4 nm and with the width of 10-50 nm. The excellent catalytic activity and stability of ANMZ-48 were also reflected in the dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction.