Nanosized zeolites: targets and challenges*

This presentation will highlight recent developments in the synthesis and unconventional applications of nanosized zeolites. The factors controlling the formation of nanosized zeolites underlining the most promising approaches from the viewpoint of large-scale production will be discussed. The strategies available for the preparation of nanosized zeolites including organic-template assisted, organic-template free, and seed approach will be presented. A special attention will be paid to zeolite formation in conventional organic-template-free zeolite yielding systems. Additionally the preparation of defect free zeolites using a “soft” chemistry approach will be discussed.
Finally, the advantages and limitations of the synthesis methods for nanosized zeolites and their utilization in existing and advanced applications will be addressed. The newest developments in the preparation of nanosized zeolites (either free of organic template or free of defects), supported zeolite films/layers, and self-assembled structures for optical and medical applications will be revealed.