The role of adsorption and diffusion in improving the selectivity and reactivity of zeolite catalysts

Abstract

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles, characterization techniques, and recent advances in understanding molecular adsorption and diffusion behaviors within zeolite materials. By examining the distinctive microporous frameworks, tunable pore sizes, and adjustable acid site distributions of zeolites, we highlight how adsorption and diffusion processes critically govern catalytic activity and selectivity. We discuss state-of-the-art experimental approaches alongside multi-scale computational methods, which collectively shed light on the molecular-level transport dynamics, interaction mechanisms, and energy barriers within zeolite channels. Focusing on exemplary topologies, we detail their performance and mechanistic insights in key applications including hydrocarbon adsorption, catalytic cracking, methanol conversion, and molecular separation. We further explore how tuning the Si/Al ratio, incorporating metal ions, engineering hierarchical pore structures, and regulating acid site distributions can synergistically optimize adsorption and diffusion, thereby enhancing catalytic efficiency and selectivity. These advancements pave the way for precise molecular-level control over transport phenomena and reaction pathways, underpinning the development of sustainable zeolite-based catalysts for clean energy, chemical process, and environmental applications.