Rapid Synthesis of Boron-MWW Zeolite Through a Solvent-free Strategy

ERB-1 zeolite emerges as a key bridging material for crafting heteroatom-containing MWW for versatile catalytic applications. In this study, we developed a solvent-free strategy facilitated by high-temperature condition and seed assistance, streamlining the synthesis of ERB-1 zeolite. This novel approach not only significantly reduces the growth time to 12 h compared to the conventional 168-h hydrothermal synthesis but also enhances product yield while minimizing waste generation. Benefiting from the platelet seeds and the grinding force, a distinct non-classical growth pathway, involving nanoparticle attachment, epitaxial growth, anisotropic assembly, and crystallization, was observed in the solvent-free synthesis. Through heteroatom substitution, pillared Sn-MWW was successfully prepared, exhibiting remarkable stability and catalytic performance in the Bayer-Villiger oxidation reaction of 2-adamantanone. Our findings present a simple and cost-effective way for rapid synthesis of MWW zeolite, with implications extending to diverse catalytic applications.