Addressing the viscosity challenge: ultrafast, stable-flow synthesis of zeolites with an emulsion method

Abstract

The sharp viscosity increase taking place in the zeolite formation renders continuous flow synthesis extremely challenging. We herein show that the emulsion system together with a Teflon-lined pipe reactor offers a unique opportunity to address the viscosity issue, allowing the zeolite products to smoothly flow out of the reactor in the form of a suspension. The emulsion-based, continuous flow synthesis of three important zeolites – ERI, *BEA and CHA – was achieved, demonstrating this method to be a general approach.