Micro-mesoporous materials obtained by zeolite recrystallization: synthesis, characterization and catalytic applications.

The review covers the recent developments in the field of novel micro-mesoporous materials obtained by zeolite recrystallization. The materials are classified into three distinctly different groups depending on the degree of recrystallization: (i) coated mesoporous zeolites (RZEO-1); (ii) micro-mesoporous nanocomposites (RZEO-2); and (iii) mesoporous materials with zeolitic fragments in the walls (RZEO-3). The first part of the review is focused on the analysis of the synthetic strategies leading to different types of recrystallized materials. In the second part, a comprehensive view on their structure, texture and porosity in connection with acidic and diffusion properties is given. The last part is devoted to the catalytic applications of recrystallized materials. The advantages and disadvantages with respect to pure micro- and mesoporous molecular sieves and other hierarchical zeolites are critically analyzed and the future opportunities and perspectives are discussed.