Neutron and in situ synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction analysis to study the thermal activation of NH4 omega zeolite

Acidic zeolites are important catalysts that are exploited by the petroleum industry in different fields, such as isomerization of xylenes, catalytic cracking and heavy oil hydrocracking. Different routes can be used to investigate zeolites acidity. Among all the techniques, neutron and Synchrotron powder diffraction analysis have a key-role to obtain informations about functions and performances of zeolites catalysts under operating conditions. Neutron diffraction is used to probe Brønsted acid sitting, while in situ powder diffraction allows to constantly monitor the evolution of zeolites structural features upon heating. In this work, for the first time, detailed informations on the thermal activation of the omega zeolite in its NH4 form by combining neutron and in situ synchrotron powder diffraction techniques are provided.