Chabazite Zeolite Synthesis via Tailored Colloids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing molecular sieves used for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitrogen oxides suffer from poor low-temperature NOx conversion and hydrothermal instability, leading to a decline in catalytic activity under harsh conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method for synthesizing zeolites with a CHA structure using a tailored colloid approach, reducing the amount of structure directing agent and optimizing the silica-to-alumina ratio, which results in improved crystallinity and stability, and incorporating copper or other metals for enhanced NOx conversion activity across a wide temperature range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional metal-promoted zeolite catalysts are used for SCR, then catalytic activity is achieved, but hydrothermal stability deteriorates leading to activity decline under harsh conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrothermal stabilityVSAvoidcatalytic activity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio parameter to greater than 2 (particularly 5-1000) and controls the metal content at 0.1-10 wt%, which fundamentally changes the material parameters to achieve both high catalytic activity and exceptional hydrothermal stability. This parameter optimization prevents dealumination while maintaining active centers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite material system combining metal promoters (Fe, Cu, Co, Ni, or their oxides) with high-silica aluminosilicate zeolites having specific crystal structures (CHA, MFI, MEL, etc.). This composite structure synergistically combines the catalytic activity of metal centers with the hydrothermal stability of the optimized zeolite framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If existing SCR catalysts are used, then nitrogen oxide conversion is achieved, but performance deteriorates at low temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNOx conversion efficiencyVSAvoidlow temperature performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio to greater than 2 and metal content to 0.1-10 wt%, which creates optimal conditions for maintaining active metal centers that facilitate low-temperature NOx conversion while preventing deactivation at elevated temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional zeolite synthesis is used, then zeolite formation is achieved, but structure directing agent consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynthesis efficiencyVSAvoidstructure directing agent amount
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the structure directing agent to silica ratio to 0.01-0.1, which represents a significant reduction from conventional synthesis methods. This parameter optimization maintains effective zeolite formation while minimizing template consumption and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The synthesized zeolites exhibit high NOx conversion activity at both low and high temperatures, maintaining catalytic performance even after hydrothermal aging, thus addressing the limitations of previous materials.

Implementation Method 1

performing a crystallization process including optionally adjusting the pH of the colloidal solution and hydrothermally treating the colloidal solution to form a zeolite of the CHA structure type

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrothermal treatment:

Implementation Method 2

performing a crystallization process including optionally adjusting the pH of the colloidal solution and hydrothermally treating the colloidal solution to form a zeolite of the CHA structure type

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 3

catalysts, systems and methods of using these molecular sieves as catalysts in a variety of processes such as abating pollutants in exhaust gases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP2748109B1Molecular sieve precursors and synthesis of a chabazite-type zeolite
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 BASF CORPORATON
  • EP2748109B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)

AI summary

Molecular sieves, improved methods for their synthesis, and catalysts, systems and methods of using these molecular sieves as catalysts in a variety of processes such as abating pollutants in exhaust gases and conversion processes are described. The molecular sieves are made using a tailored colloid including an alumina source, a silica source and a structure directing agent.