Novel selective catalyst derived from uniform clustered NaY zeolite microspheres

Abstract

The design and preparation of a new “self-protected” zeolite catalyst are reported in this paper for the first time, in order to face the challenges arising from environmental protection, in selective catalytic degrading of tobacco specific nitrosamine (TSNA) carcinogens in environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). A new method to synthesize NaY zeolite with uniform microsphere morphology via an organic amine TMAOH as bifunctional template is reported in this study. The spherical zeolite is prepared by a one-step hydrothermal crystallization without any post-treatment or other shape-directing agent. It has a rugged surface like a cluster of crystal grains and its crystallization process is monitored in detail by means of XRD and SEM. To assess how the zeolite morphology affects its catalytic performance in complex systems, this material was directly mixed with tobacco shred and added into cigarettes to in situ degrade TSNA in smoke. As a result, the clustered zeolite microsphere can avoid the interference of particulate matter in smoke and shows a high selectivity in the removal of TSNA. This synthetic method offers a novel way of preparing zeolites with a spherical morphology, which has great potential application in the fields of catalysis, adsorption and separation.