Metakaolinite, which was used as a
binder, affected the pore size distribution by splitting a broad local pore
volume maximum at a pore diameter of 38 nm, observed in binderless
ultrastable zeolite Y, into maxima at pore diameters of 20 and 80 nm. The
volume of pores, within the diameter range of 2–5 nm, was decreased by 50%,
probably due to a blocking effect of metakaolinite. ©