Zeolite synthesis with a fluoride source

1. A method for making an aluminosilicate zeolite having a CHA framework, the method comprising reacting a synthesis gel comprising zeolite Y, a fluoride source, a structure directing agent (SDA), and an optional additional silica source at a temperature of at least 100° C. until crystals of the zeolite having a CHA framework form.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the crystals are at least about 90% phase pure.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the crystals have a silica-to-alumina mole ratio (SAR) of at least about 20.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the SDA comprises a cation comprising trimethyladamantammonium, N,N,N-dimethylethylcyclohexylammonium, pentamethylimidazolium, 1,2-dimethyl-3-(4-methylbenzyl)imidazolium, 1,2,3-trimethylimidazolium, 1,3-bis(1-adamantyl) imidazolium, 2,6-N,N-diethyl-cis 2,6-dimethylpiperidium, or a combination thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the crystals have a mean crystal size of less than about 5 μm.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the zeolite having a CHA framework comprises crystals with have a mean crystal size of less than about 1 μm.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the zeolite Y is the only silica and aluminum source to form the aluminosilicate zeolite having a CHA framework.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the synthesis gel is substantially free of alkaline metal.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the synthesis gel has one or more of the following compositional molar ratios:

SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 of about 12 to about 500;

SDA 2 O/Al 2 O 3 of about 3 to about 125;

H 2 O/Al 2 O 3 of about 30 to about 7500;

OH − /SiO 2 of about 0.4 to about 0.6; and/or

F − /SiO 2 of about 0.4 to about 0.6.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reacting step is performed at a temperature of about 120 to about 180° C. for about 1 to about 15 days.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reaction step is performed under pH less than about 11.