Author:

Keywords:

Science & Technology, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, Multidisciplinary, Green & Sustainable Science & Technology, Chemistry, Science & Technology - Other Topics, aluminum, industrial chemistry, silicon, sustainable chemistry, zeolites, SCALE-UP, NANOSIZED ZEOLITES, ZSM-5 ZEOLITE, MFI ZEOLITES, CATALYSTS, CRYSTALLIZATION, DESILICATION, STRATEGIES, CHEMISTRY, MECHANISM, Aluminum Silicates, Catalysis, Green Chemistry Technology, Wastewater, Water, Zeolites, 0301 Analytical Chemistry, 0399 Other Chemical Sciences, 0904 Chemical Engineering, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, 3403 Macromolecular and materials chemistry, 3405 Organic chemistry, 4004 Chemical engineering

Abstract:

Hierarchical zeolites have been established as a superior type of aluminosilicate catalysts compared to their conventional (purely microporous) counterparts. An impressive array of bottom-up and top-down approaches has been developed during the last decade to design and subsequently exploit these exciting materials catalytically. However, the sustainability of the developed synthetic methods has rarely been addressed. This paper highlights important criteria to ensure the ecological and economic viability of the manufacture of hierarchical zeolites. Moreover, by using base leaching as a promising case study, we verify a variety of approaches to increase reactor productivity, recycle waste streams, prevent the combustion of organic compounds, and minimize separation efforts. By reducing their synthetic footprint, hierarchical zeolites are positioned as an integral part of sustainable chemistry.