Tailored Catalytic Properties of MFI-Type Zeolite through Controlled Surface Modifications: Theory, Synthesis and Catalytic Testing

Differences in the intrinsic activity of internal (bulk) and external (surface) Brønsted acid sites of MFI-type zeolite are investigated using passivated (ZSM-5) core and (silicalite-1) shell particles. We will discuss results from catalyst synthesis, testing, and computational modeling using density functional theory to calculate the adsorption properties and reaction kinetics.