Hierarchical assembly of zeolite nanoparticles into ordered macroporous monoliths using core-shell building blocks

Abstract

Latex beads are used as a combined template and porogen in the fabrication of monolithic silica containing a hierarchy of pores. Prefabricated core/shell particles, prepared by the layer-by-layer assembly of zeolite (silicalite) nanoparticles onto spherical latex templates, are assembled into macroscopic close-packed structures. Calcination removes all organic components and causes densification of the inorganic structure producing a macroporous zeolite in which both the pore size and wall thickness can be varied.