Micro/mesoporous catalysts obtained by recrystallization of mordenite

Micro/mesoporous composite materials with different contribution of micro- and mesoporosity were prepared by recrystallization of mordenite. The materials were characterized by XRD, IR spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption — desorption and TPD NH 3 . Catalytic properties were studied in transalkylation of biphenyl (BP) with para-diisopropylbenzene (p-DIPB) and cracking of 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene (TIPB). Composite materials showed remarkably high activity, stability and selectivity with respect to both pure microporous and pure mesoporous materials. The effect is due to high zeolitic acidity combined with improved accessibility of active sites and transport of bulky molecules provided by mesopores.