Provide is a functional structural body that can suppress aggregation of metal oxide nanoparticles and prevent functional loss of metal oxide nanoparticles, and thus exhibit a stable function over a long period of time. A functional structural body (1) includes: a skeletal body (10) of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound; and at least one type of metal oxide nanoparticles (20) containing a perovskite-type oxide present in the skeletal body (10), the skeletal body (10) having channels (11) that connect with each other, and the metal oxide nanoparticles (20) being present at least in the channels (11) of the skeletal body (10).

A functional structural body includes a skeletal body of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound, and at least one type of metallic nanoparticles present in the skeletal body, the skeletal body having channels connecting with each other, the metallic nanoparticles being present at least in the channels of the skeletal body.

A functional structural body includes a skeletal body of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound, and at least one type of metallic nanoparticles present in the skeletal body, the skeletal body having channels connecting with each other, the metallic nanoparticles being present at least in the channels of the skeletal body.

A functional structural body that can realize a prolonged life time by suppressing the decrease in function and that can fulfill resource saving without requiring a complicated replacement operation is provided. A functional structural body includes a skeletal body of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound; and at least one solid acid present in the skeletal body, the skeletal body has channels connecting with each other, and the solid acid is present at least in the channels of the skeletal body.

A hydrocarbon adsorbent having a high hydrocarbon desorption start temperature and a method for adsorbing hydrocarbons that uses the hydrocarbon adsorbent are provided. The hydrocarbon adsorbent includes an alkali metal and a zeolite having a ring structure that includes at least 10 members is used. In the hydrocarbon adsorbent, a content of the alkali metal is 1 to 40 mass % based on a total mass of the hydrocarbon adsorbent, a content of the zeolite having a ring structure that includes at least 10 members is 99 to 60 mass % based on the total mass of the hydrocarbon adsorbent, and at least a portion of the alkali metal is in a state of being ion-exchangeable.

A method of enriching nano-bentonite from a raw bentonite composition comprises the steps of mixing the raw bentonite composition with water to produce a bentonite solution, increasing the temperature of the bentonite solution to produce a warm bentonite solution, mixing the warm bentonite solution at a mixing rate to produce a colloidal solution, filtering the colloidal solution with a micro-sieve to produce a filtered colloidal solution, centrifuging the filtered colloidal solution at a centrifuge rate for a centrifuge time to produce a separated colloidal solution, wherein the nano-sized impurities are selected from the group consisting of quartz, feldspar, cristbalite, calcite, iron oxides, magnetite, calcium carbonate, and combinations of the same, and drying the separated colloidal solution to remove water to produce the nano-bentonite.

Provided is a beta-type zeolite which has a high catalytic activity and is not easily deactivated.

The beta-type zeolite of the invention has a substantially octahedral shape, has a Si/Al ratio of 5 or more, and is a proton-type zeolite. The Si/Al ratio is preferably 40 or more. This beta-type zeolite is preferably obtained by transforming a raw material beta-type zeolite synthesized without using a structure directing agent into an ammonium-type zeolite through ion exchange, then, exposing the beta-type zeolite to water vapor, and subjecting the exposed beta-type zeolite to an acid treatment.

A zeolite membrane structure includes a porous support, and a zeolite membrane. The zeolite membrane has a first zeolite layer located in a surface of the porous support, and a second zeolite layer located outside of the surface of the porous support and integrally formed with the first zeolite layer. The porous support has an outermost layer in which the first zeolite layer is located. An average thickness of the first zeolite layer is less than or equal to 5.4 micrometers. An average pore diameter of the outermost layer is greater than or equal to 0.050 micrometers and less than or equal to 0.150 micrometers.

A zeolite membrane structure includes a porous support, and a zeolite membrane. The zeolite membrane has a first zeolite layer located in a surface of the porous support, and a second zeolite layer located outside of the surface of the porous support and integrally formed with the first zeolite layer. The porous support has an outermost layer in which the first zeolite layer is located. An average thickness of the first zeolite layer is less than or equal to 5.4 micrometers. An average pore diameter of the outermost layer is greater than or equal to 0.050 micrometers and less than or equal to 0.150 micrometers.

Disclosed herein is a catalytic process for producing higher olefins including three- to four-carbon olefins from ethene sources by producing an ethene-containing stream from an ethene source, and subjecting the ethene-containing stream to a catalytic oligomerization process. In this catalytic process, the catalytic oligomerization process comprises exposing the ethene-containing stream in contact with a catalyst including a mixture of a zeolite material and a zeotype material.