MFI-type materials prepared by co-condensation synthesis approach

Pure silica MFI-type materials were synthesized by a single step co-condensation approach using 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTS-Silicalite-1) as organo-functional compound and silica co-source. For comparison, MPTS-modified amorphous silica and Silicalite-1 templated with tetrapropylammonium hydroxide (TPA-Silicalite-1) were prepared. The incorporation of MPTS into the silica structures was confirmed by 29Si and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Raman spectroscopy, while the porosity of the samples was verified with nitrogen sorption measurements. The MPTS-Silicalite-1 materials exhibit improved hydrophobicity in comparison with the samples prepared in the absence of MPTS. The presented method is simple and less toxic than the acid-meditated synthesis approach commonly applied for the preparation of hydrophobic zeolitic materials.