Facile Synthesis\nof Two-Dimensional MWW Zeolites with\nVapor-Phase Pillarization Strategy for Alkylation of Benzene and 1‑Dodecene

The production of linear alkylbenzene (LAB) by alkylation\nof benzene\nwith 1-dodecene over zeolite catalysts always imposes serious diffusion\nlimitations, while pillarization is an essential way for fabrication\nof ordered zeolite nanosheets with open porosity and enhanced diffusion\nproperty. In this study, a vapor-phase pillarization (VPP) strategy\nis developed to prepare the 2D pillared MWW zeolites; the VPP method\nonly uses 1/10 TEOS in the intercalation step, in comparison with\nthe conventional liquid-phase pillarization process. Besides, the\nadditional separation step from liquid solution is not required in\nthe VPP process, and no liquid waste is produced in the VPP operation.\nThe resultant 2D pillared MWW zeolite shows enhanced catalytic activity\nin the alkylation between benzene and 1-dodecene, in which the conversion\nof 1-dodecene is more than 40% within 37 h under the harsh reaction\nconditions (benzene/1-dodecene = 10, WHSV = 20 h<sup>–1</sup>), and it also exhibits comparable selectivity of 2-LAB (∼68%),\nin comparison with that of traditional 2D pillared MWW zeolites. Furthermore,\nthe 2D pillared MWW zeolites synthesized via the VPP strategy possess\nan ordered multilamellar structure and exhibit good regeneration performance\nin the alkylation between benzene and 1-dodecene.