Methods for forming two-dimensional (2D) zeolite nanosheets include exposing a multi-lamellar (ML) zeolite material including an organic structure directing agent (OSDA) to a mixture including sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide under conditions sufficient to remove substantially all of the OSDA from the ML zeolite material; and after exposing the ML zeolite material, treating a solution containing the ML zeolite material to sonication and/or mixing under conditions sufficient to substantially exfoliate layers of the ML zeolite to obtain porous two-dimensional zeolite nanosheets that are substantially free of the OSDA. In some cases, without further treatment such as secondary growth of the zeolite coating layer, a deposit of the OSDA-free nanosheets on polymer support exhibits hydrocarbon isomer selectivity.

Prepare a hybrid SAPO-34/ZSM-5 catalyst via sequential steps as follows: a) form a mixture consisting essentially of ZSM-5 as a sole source of silicon atoms, aluminum isopropoxide and a solution of orthophosphoric acid; b) combine the mixture with an aqueous solution of tetraethylammonium hydroxide to form a reaction mixture; and c) subject the reaction mixture to hydrothermal conditions for a period of time sufficient to convert the reaction mixture to a hybrid SAPO-34/ZSM-5 catalyst. Use the hybrid catalyst in converting an oxygenate (methanol and/or dimethyl ether) to an olefin.

Methods for producing mesoporous beta zeolites from parent beta zeolites having a Si/Al molar ratio of at least 10 comprise selecting a target average mesoporous size between 2 nm and 8 nm for the parent beta zeolites, selecting a pore directing agent (PDA) based on the target average mesopore size, where a non-ionic surfactant, a small cationic surfactant has a molecular weight of greater than 100 grams/mole, or both may be selected as the PDA when the target average mesopore size is at least 5 nm, and a large cationic surfactant having a molecular weight of less than 100 grams/mole may be selected as the PDA when the target average mesopore size is less than 5 nm. The method further comprises adding the selected PDA to an alkaline solution to form a PDA-base mixture, and adding the parent beta zeolites to the PDA-base mixture to produce the mesoporous beta zeolites.

An alkylation catalyst having a zeolite catalyst component and a binder component providing mechanical support for the zeolite catalyst component is disclosed. The binder component is an ion-modified binder that can include metal ions selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, K, Cs, Ga, B, P, Rb, Ag, Na, Cu, Mg, Fe, Mo, Ce, and combinations thereof. The metal ions reduce the number of acid sites on the zeolite catalyst component. The metal ions can range from 0.1 to 50 wt % based on the total weight of the ion-modified binder. Optionally, the ion-modified binder is present in amounts ranging from 1 to 80 wt % based on the total weight of the catalyst.

The present invention relates to zeolite adsorbents based on agglomerated zeolite X crystals comprising barium, potassium and sodium. These adsorbents find applications in the separation of aromatic C8 isomer fractions and especially xylene.

An alkylation catalyst having a zeolite catalyst component and a binder component providing mechanical support for the zeolite catalyst component is disclosed. The binder component is an ion-modified binder that can include metal ions selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, K, Cs, Ga, B, P, Rb, Ag, Na, Cu, Mg, Fe, Mo, Ce, and combinations thereof. The metal ions reduce the number of acid sites on the zeolite catalyst component. The metal ions can range from 0.1 to 50 wt % based on the total weight of the ion-modified binder. Optionally, the ion-modified binder is present in amounts ranging from 1 to 80 wt % based on the total weight of the catalyst.

Prepare a hybrid SAPO-34/ZSM-5 catalyst via sequential steps as follows: a) form a mixture consisting essentially of ZSM-5 as a sole source of silicon atoms, aluminum isopropoxide and a solution of orthophosphoric acid; b) combine the mixture with an aqueous solution of tetraethylammonium hydroxide to form a reaction mixture; and c) subject the reaction mixture to hydrothermal conditions for a period of time sufficient to convert the reaction mixture to a hybrid SAPO-34/ZSM-5 catalyst. Use the hybrid catalyst in converting an oxygenate (methanol and/or dimethyl ether) to an olefin.

A method of making a xylene isomerization catalyst comprises the steps of (i) contacting a ZSM-5 zeolite starting material having a silica to alumina molar ratio of 20 to 50 and having a mesopore surface area in the range of 50 m.sup.2/gram to 200 m.sup.2/gram in a reactor with a base to provide an intermediate zeolite material; (ii) recovering the intermediate ZSM-5 zeolite material of step (i); (iii) contacting the intermediate zeolite material with an acid to provide an acid treated ZSM-5 zeolite product; (iv) recovering the acid treated ZSM-5 zeolite material; and (v) calcining the acid treated ZSM-5 zeolite material to provide a desilicated ZSM-5 zeolite product having a silica to alumina molar ratio of 20 to 150 and having a mesopore surface area in the range of 100 m.sup.2/gram to 400 m.sup.2/gram.

Disclosed herein is a method of making activated EU-2 zeolite, including: pores having a diameter of 30 to 40 while maintaining the crystal structure of the EU-2 zeolite; and pores having a diameter of 40 to 200 , wherein the volume of the pores having a diameter of 30 to 40 is 0.01 to 0.06 cc/g, and the volume of the pores having a diameter of 40 to 200 is 0.07 to 0.4 cc/g.

Disclosed herein is a method of making activated EU-2 zeolite, including: pores having a diameter of 30 to 40 while maintaining the crystal structure of the EU-2 zeolite; and pores having a diameter of 40 to 200 , wherein the volume of the pores having a diameter of 30 to 40 is 0.01 to 0.06 cc/g, and the volume of the pores having a diameter of 40 to 200 is 0.07 to 0.4 cc/g.