“Solvent-free” synthesis of thermally stable and hierarchically porous aluminophosphates (SF-APOs) and heteroatom-substituted aluminophosphates (SF-MAPOs)

Hierarchically porous aluminophosphates (SF-APOs) and metal substituted aluminophosphates (SF-MAPOs, M = Co, Fe, Cr) have been synthesized via simple grinding and heating in the absence of solvent. Characterization results show that these mesoporous aluminophosphates have a hierarchically microporous/mesoporous structure. In addition, metal atoms can be efficiently incorporated into the walls of mesoporous aluminophosphates, and the SF-CoAPO sample shows high catalytic activity in cyclohexene oxidation compared with microporous samples. Special features of the “solvent-free” synthesis route, such as increasing product yield, saving energy, elimination of pollution, and convenience for incorporation of heterogeneous atoms, ensure its great potential in the synthesis of porous materials.