Zeolite–Water Chemistry: Characterization Methods to Unveil Zeolite Structure

Abstract

This review provides comprehensive aspects of the interaction of water with zeolites, focusing on its influence on the structural and catalytic properties of zeolites. It details how water can alter zeolite acidity by forming hydrogen bonding or hydronium ions through different modes of water in zeolite topologies. Moreover, it summarizes the risks of zeolite stability loss via hydrolysis of Si−O−T bonds to influence the stability, structure, and catalytic reactivity of zeolites. To address water interference, various strategies for water removal from zeolite frameworks are reviewed and proposed from the structural perspective of the zeolites. By combining advanced in-situ techniques, FTIR and solid-state NMR have proven effective in providing atomic-level insights, as they eliminate the masking effects of water to enable precise characterization of the zeolite framework. This work underscores the importance of these methods in minimizing the influence of water, enhancing the reliability of zeolite characterization for catalytic applications, and providing insights into recent advancements, challenges, and future directions in the related fields. © 2025 The Author(s). Chemistry - Methods published by Chemistry Europe and Wiley-VCH GmbH.