Optimization of hydrothermal temperature and time parameters in the synthesis of hierarchical ZSM-5 from kaolin by taguchi method

Hierarchical ZSM-5 was successfully synthesized by hydrothermal crystallization of kaolin clay. A statistical experimental design Taguchi method with analysis of variance (ANOVA) with an L₉ Orthogonal array (OA) was used to optimize the formation of high mesoporosity in hierarchical ZSM-5. Samples from kaolin mixtures crystallized at 80-175°C for 12, 24 and 48 h, respectively using hydrothermal followed by addition of mesoporogen cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTABr) surfactant. The presence of pentasil zeolite groups and large mesopores surface area and pore volume has observed on the samples by FTIR and N2 adsorption-desorption technique. The optimum synthesis conditions studied by Taguchi analysis based on S/N ratio for temperature and time of hydrothermal. The optimum condition was 127.5°C and 48 h giving the highest mesoporosity. Data analysis of interaction plot for S/N ratio showed there was interaction between temperature and time in the crystallization of hierarchical ZSM-5. Hydrothermal temperature was the most influencing factors for the formation of hierarchical ZSM-5 with a percent contribution of 83%.