Synthesis of CHA zeolite in phenoxide media for CO₂ capture

Synthesis of small-pore chabazite (CHA) zeolites in the absence of organic structure-directing agents (OSDA) has been proven difficult. A judicious mixed cation approach recently reported could expand the design space of CHA formation. In a seemingly opposite direction, we herein report an anion tuning approach for controlling the zeolite polymorphism in an OSDA-free system that effectively promotes hierarchical CHA formation in a competitive growth with MER. Phenoxide media, utilizing mild in-situ nucleophilic etching in cooperation with zeolite framework growth, allow beneficial kinetic control to facilitate CHA nucleation. Operando analyses reveal the crucial role of stabilized dimeric aluminate species as a key intermediate for CHA phase selection. The phenol-mediated CHA zeolites exhibit almost perfect 9 molecules per unit cell CO₂ uptake capacity and no CH₄ adsorption. This work offers an anion tuning strategy for controlling zeolite polymorphism as a supplement to the current phase-selection toolbox that utilizes mixed inorganic cations.