Patent attributes
A composite material comprises a macroporous silicate-based material at least partially substituted with at least one microporous zeolite, wherein the microporous zeolite is functionalised with either copper, iron or both copper and iron, and wherein the composite material is in the form of particles. The composite material can be obtained using a method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a mixture comprising a silicate-containing scaffold having a macroporous structure, an aluminium source and an organic template; (ii) hydrothermally treating the mixture to form a microporous zeolite-containing structure substantially retaining the macroporous structure of the silicate-containing scaffold; (iii) incorporating copper, iron or both copper and iron into the zeolite. The silicate-containing scaffold can be a diatomaceous earth.