Direct synthesis of c-axis oriented ZSM-5 nanoneedles from acid-treated kaolin clay

c-Axis oriented ZSM-5 nanoneedles with an average diameter of 30 nm were directly prepared using acid-treated kaolin clay as the Al and Si source, which allowed the quick transfer of reaction molecules inside the micropores and exhibited a far longer lifetime to endure coke deposition when used in the catalytic conversion of methanol to aromatics, compared to the conventional microsized ZSM-5 crystal.