Binderless zeolite monoliths production with sacrificial biopolymers

3D printing has emerged as an attractive way of formulating structured adsorbents, it imparts lower manufacturing costs compared to hydraulic extrusion while also allowing for unprecedented geometric control. However, binderless structures have not been fabricated by printing, ink formulation previously required clay binders which cannot be easily removed. In this study, we report the development a facile approach shape engineer zeolites. 3D-printed inks comprised 13X, 5A, ZSM-5, and experimental South African zeolites were prepared using gelatin pectin binding agents along with dropwise addition various solvents. After dried monoliths calcined remove biopolymers form 100% pure zeolite structures. From N2 physisorption CO2 adsorption measurements at 0 °C, all showed narrowing below 1 nm from their powders, was attributed pore malformation caused intraparticle bridging during calcination. The isotherms indicated that led varying degrees enhanced capacities three gases, slightly smaller pores increased electrostatic between sorbent walls captured species. Analysis performance revealed comparable diffusivities commercial bead analogues, implying biopolymer/zeolite can produce contactors are competitive benchmarks. exhibited faster produced conventional direct writing – on account enhancement in macroporosity highlighting new method enhances kinetic properties scaffolds. As such, sacrificial biopolymer technique is effective versatile