Shape selectivity of ADOR zeolites in gas-phase m-xylene isomerisation

Zeolites are microporous crystalline aluminosilicates. They are used as catalysts due to their acidity, shape selectivity, high surface area, high thermal, and chemical stability. New types of zeolitic materials are of interests as catalysts for various reactions. Isomerisation of m-xylene is sensitive to shape and dimensionality of pores, thus it is excellent model reaction for zeolites characterisation. The aim of this thesis is to investigate shape selectivity effects of isoreticular zeolites on the catalytic performance in m-xylene isomerisation. Isoreticular zeolites have the same crystalline layers connected in various way resulting in different, tuneable pore systems. The catalytic behaviour of the studied zeolites was compared to commercial ZSM-5 zeolite catalysts. Isoreticular zeolites were prepared via ADOR method. This new method is a top-down approach for zeolite synthesis providing materials with preserved crystalline layers, but different channel systems. Parent Al-UTL (14- and 12-ring channels) zeolite was prepared via hydrothermal synthesis. This material was utilised for the synthesis of daughter zeolites with various channel systems: Al-IPC-7 (14- and 12-ring, as well as 12- and 10-ring channels), Al-IPC-2 (12- and 10-ring channels), Al-IPC-6 (12- and 10-ring, as well as 10- and..