Synthesis of Mordenite Aggregates of Nanometer-Sized Crystallites

A high SiO2/Al2O3 ratio (SAR 15) mordenite was prepared in a very short reaction time of only 12 h. The syntheses were accomplished in the presence of alcohol additives using both microwave and conventional heating methods. Mordenite crystallization was greatly enhanced using a combination of alcohol additives and conventional heating. Mordenite nucleation was also increased without using alcohols when microwave heating was employed, but the alcohols further accelerated the nucleation process. The different heating techniques affected the morphology; microwave heating produced crystallites of similar to 40 nm, while the conventional hydrothermal method formed larger size crystallites of similar to 88 nm. We controlled the size and shape of the mordenite crystals because they have important implications in hydrocarbon conversion and separation processes. SEM micrographs of mordenite showed jellyfish, acicular, flower, and wheat grain like structures.