Synthesis of TS-1 nanocrystals on silica gel via steam-assisted dry gel conversion method

TS-1 nanocrystals were synthesized on silica gel via dry gel conversion method, at first silica gel was impregnated with TS-1 synthesis solution and then followed by steam treatment at 130°C for 2 d. The product was characterized with XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, NMR, N₂ adsorption, ICP, SEM and TEM. The results indicate that TS-1 crystals were grown on silica gel with a size of ca. 20 nm, a BET specific surface area of 113.2 m²/g and a mesopore size of 23.7 nm. The product exhibited a higher catalyst performance than TS-1 powders, which was prepared by conventionally hydrothermal synthesis, for benzene hydroxylation with n(benzene)/n(H₂O₂) = 3 and sulfolane as the solvent at 100°C for 2 h. The benzene conversion and TOF were 8.7% and 11.37, respectively, with more than 99% of phenol selectivity.