Microwave Synthesis of Zeolites and Zeolite-like Materials: Citius! Altius! Fortius!

Energy-efficient microwave technologies for the synthesis of zeolites and zeolite-like materials are considered. The use of microwave radiation in the process of material synthesis has a number of advantages, but also some disadvantages in comparison with the traditional hydrothermal synthesis method. The advantages and disadvantages of microwave synthesis of zeolites and zeolite-like materials are presented in the review. The use of microwave synthesis makes it possible to significantly reduce synthesis time, reduce energy costs, and obtain particles with a narrow distribution, usually in the nanoscale range (50–500 nm). The groups of zeolites considered include LTA, BEA, MOR, MFI, MEL, FAU, F, P, T, FER, ANA, MTT, ZSM–22, ZSM-48, SOD, SSZ-11, SSZ-13, SSZ-51, SSZ-54, and others. Among the zeolite-like materials synthesized using microwave radiation, mesoporous silicates MCM-41, SBA-15, alumophosphates, and metallaluminophosphates (AlPO-5, AlPO-11, AlPO-18, SAPO-5, SAPO-11, SAPO-34, SAPO-35) are considered. The proposed methods (microwave processing) significantly expand the range of methods for synthesizing new materials. These methods can reduce the synthesis temperature and affect the structure of the resulting materials. The proposed methods increase the likelihood of obtaining new nanomaterials and hybrid materials, as well as improving the properties of existing ones.