Adding Mesopores to Silicalite-1 with Graphene Oxide Templating

Background: Zeolites have been widely applied in adsorption, separation, sensors and catalysis fields due to their uniform micropore structures, high surface areas and many other properties. However, their small micropores frequently cause molecular diffusion limitations, which impede their applications in many chemical reactions. Objective: To synthesize mesoporous zeolites via a hard templating route. Methods: Silicalite-1 with mesopores was prepared by using graphene oxide as a template. The structures and morphologies of samples were studied with X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption/desorption at 77K. Results: The nitrogen adsorption results indicated the mesopores of 0.04 cm3/g were formed in silicalite-1, which were caused by graphene oxide nanosheets templating. The graphene oxide- templated zeolite had 1.5 times higher adsorption amount of methylene blue from aqueous solution than the conventional silicalite-1. Conclusion: Using graphene oxide as a template could add zeolites with mesopores corresponding to its removal by burning after synthesis.