Abstract: Conventional TS-1 zeolite has the problems of limited number and poor accessibility of active sites (framework titanium species), reducing its catalytic performance for olefin epoxidation. To address these issues, a nano TS-1 zeolite with high framework titanium content was synthesized using a combination of solvent-complexed titanium source and pre-hydrolyzed silicon source via steam-assisted crystallization, and compared with conventional TS-1 zeolite with high framework titanium contentprepared using hydrothermal crystallization. The results show that compared with commercial and synthesized conventional TS-1 zeolites, the resultant nano TS-1 zeolite owns smaller crystal size, abundant external specific surface and higher framework titanium content. As a result,when applied to the 1-hexene epoxidation reaction, the resultant nano TS-1 zeolite demonstrates superior catalytic performance compared to the reference catalysts, reflected by a 1-hexene conversion of 70.4%, with selectivity and yield of 1,2-epoxyhexane at 94.0% and 66.2%, respectively.

Key words: nano TS-1 zeolite, solvent complexation, steam-assisted crystallization, high framework titanium content, 1-hexene epoxidation