On the role of iron in preparation of mesoporous Fe-MFI zeolites via desilication

Mesoporous Fe-MFI zeolites have been succesfully prepared by treatment of isomorphously substituted Fe-silicalite and ion-exchanged Fe-ZSM-5 in alkaline medium. Iron in framework positions directs the silicon extraction towards mesoporosity development, whereas iron in non-framework positions inhibits silicon dissolution and limits mesoporosity development.