Ion-Imprinted Zeolite: A Surface Functionalization Methodology Based on the “Ship-in-Bottle” Technique

A new methodology to effectively modify the selectivity of zeolites toward a target metal ion via surface molecular imprinting has been developed. A stepwise methodology in which the template complex is assembled inside the zeolite pore in a piece-by-piece fashion is shown (see Figure). Tailored zeolites with surface functionalization show great promise for the realization of shape-selective catalysis.