Achieving extreme thermal stability of high-silica FAU through trace water-assisted steam treatment†

Abstract

This study explores defect-healing via heat/steam treatments to enhance FAU's thermal stability. The optimal steam treatment with 1% humidity retained 69% relative crystallinity after the heat resistance test at 1150 °C for 24 h, halving the crystallinity loss vs. the untreated sample. This approach provides zeolites with exceptional thermal stability.