Gamma‐Ray Irradiation to Accelerate Crystallization of Mesoporous Zeolites

Gamma‐ray (γ‐ray) irradiation was introduced into zeolite synthesis. The crystallization process of zeolite NaA, NaY, Silicalite‐1, and ZSM‐5 were greatly accelerated. The crystallization time of NaA zeolite was significantly decreased to 18 h under γ‐ray irradiation at 20 °C, while more than 102 h was needed for the conventional process. Unexpectedly, more mesopores were created during this process, and thus the adsorption capacity of CO₂ increased by 6‐fold compared to the NaA prepared without γ‐ray irradiation. Solid experimental evidence and density function theory (DFT) calculations demonstrated that hydroxyl free radicals (OH*) generated by γ‐rays accelerated the crystallization of zeolite NaA. Besides NaA, mesoporous ZSM‐5 with MFI topology was also successfully synthesized under γ‐ray irradiation, which possessed excellent catalytic performance for methanol conversion, suggesting the universality of this new synthetic strategy for various zeolites.     

On the variation in the composition of zeolite NaA crystals

The conditions for crystallization of zeolite NaA, whose small cages are partially or completely (one molecule per unit cell) filled with NaAlO₂ molecules, were outlined. These molecules are occluded into cuboctahedra of zeolite NaA only during crystallization rather than during formation, aging, and modification of the initial aluminosilicate gels. Based on the data on the adsorption capacity for water in NaA zeolite samples, a small cage of this zeolite (cuboctahedron) adsorbs about four water molecules.Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1565–1569, August, 2004.     

Synthesis of NaX and NaY Zeolites from Tunisian Kaolinite as Base Catalysts: An Investigation of Knoevenagel Condensation

The synthesis of Faujasite‐type zeolites with high purity has been successfully performed from Tunisian kaolinite and the effects of different crystallization parameters on the final products were widely investigated. The alkaline fusion of kaolinite followed by hydrothermal treatment lead to zeolite NaX synthesis whereas the classic hydrothermal transformation of metakaolinite produces NaY zeolite. The results show that an increase in the synthesis temperature and time has improved the crystallization process of the zeolite NaX whereas the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ and the Na₂O/SiO₂ molar ratios were the key parameters to obtain a pure zeolite NaY. The highest specific surface areas obtained with the optimal crystallization conditions were 554 m2 g^?1 and 592 m2 g^?1 for respectively NaX and NaY zeolites. The basic properties of NaX and NaY zeolites were explored in the Knoevenagel condensation of benzaldehyde with ethyl cyanoacetate at 140 °C as a test reaction in the absence of solvent. The influence of ion exchange with cesium cation on the catalytic activity of prepared catalysts was also investigated. It was found that the NaX provided higher activity than that of NaY catalyst due to its lower Si/Al ratio whereas a cesium exchange conferred higher basicity to the prepared Na‐faujasite.     

Use of diffusion barriers in the preparation of supported zeolite ZSM-5 membranes

Zeolite ZSM-5 membranes were prepared by in situ crystallization on porous α-Al₂O₃ disks that contained a diffusion barrier to limit excessive penetration of siliceous species into the alumina pores. The barrier was introduced into the alumina pores by impregnating the porous disk with a 1:1 molar mixture of furfuryl alcohol (FA) and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), polymerizing the mixture retained in the disk, and carbonizing the resulting polymer at 600°C in N₂. Following carbonization, a partial carbon burn-off was carried out by catalyzed oxidation in 2% O₂N₂ at 600°C to generate a carbon-free region near the surface of the support. After zeolite crystallization, the remaining carbon and the organic structure directing agent were removed by calcination in air, at 500°C. It was found that pure carbon does not support zeolite growth while the solid obtained from a mixture of FA and TEOS does, due to the presence of dispersed silica. Membranes synthesized using barriers have n-butane flux and n-butane/isobutane selectivity 2.7 × 10⁻³ mol m⁻² s⁻¹ and 45, respectively, at 185°C, which are, respectively, ca. 1.6 and 4 times as large as those of membranes prepared without the use of barriers. Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the internal layer of the barrier-pretreated membrane has smaller thickness and higher crystallinity accounting for the increased flux and selectivity.     

Ultrasound promoted direct synthesis of nano Cu-Zn-Al-ZSM-5 in acid medium

Nano Cu-Zn-Al-ZSM-5 was directly synthesized in HCl solutions with the promotion of ultrasound. XRD results show that the appropriate concentrations of HCl in the synthetic process were between 0.25 M and 1 M, and the optimal crystallization time and temperature were 28 h and 200°C, respectively. The ultrasound irradiation can significantly increase the crystallization of Cu-Zn-Al-ZSM-5 within 0.5 h. SEM photographs of Cu-Zn-Al-ZSM-5 zeolite showed the crystal size is about 50–60 nm. Results of ICP/AES show that the weight% of Cu in 101(Cu-Zn-Al-SOD) and 202(Cu-Zn-Al-ZSM-5) were 4.42% and 2.30%, respectively.     

催化剂量甘油对THF-FER沸石结晶过程的加速作用

The hydrothermal crystallization of THF-FER zeolite was investigated in the reactant system of Na2O-SiO2-Al2O3-H2O with tetrahydrofuran （THF） as the template in the presence of various catalytic amount of glycerol [CH2（OH）CH（OH）CH2（OH）, Glyc] in the temperature range of 413--473 K. Powder X-ray diffraction （XRD） was used to observe the crystallization process, and scanning electron microscope （SEM）, ^13C cross polarization （CP） and ^27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance （MAS NMR）, X-ray fluorescence scattering spectroscopy （XRF）, thermal analysis and nitrogen sorption were used to characterize the zeolite synthesized in the reactant system with Glyc. The catalytic amount of Glyc could promote the crystallization of FER zeolite, to result in lowering the reaction temperature, shortening the period of the zeolite crystallization and effectively restraining cocrystallization of MOR zeolite as an impure phase especially at low reaction temperature, and possess a significant effect on the morphology and the crystal size of TI-IF-FER zeolite.     

Gamma-Ray Irradiation to Accelerate Crystallization of Mesoporous Zeolites

Gamma-ray (γ-ray) irradiation was introduced into zeolite synthesis. The crystallization process of zeolite NaA, NaY, Silicalite-1, and ZSM-5 were greatly accelerated. The crystallization time of NaA zeolite was significantly decreased to 18 h under γ-ray irradiation at 20 °C, while more than 102 h was needed for the conventional process. Unexpectedly, more mesopores were created during this process, and thus the adsorption capacity of CO₂ increased by 6-fold compared to the NaA prepared without γ-ray irradiation. Solid experimental evidence and density function theory (DFT) calculations demonstrated that hydroxyl free radicals (OH*) generated by γ-rays accelerated the crystallization of zeolite NaA. Besides NaA, mesoporous ZSM-5 with MFI topology was also successfully synthesized under γ-ray irradiation, which possessed excellent catalytic performance for methanol conversion, suggesting the universality of this new synthetic strategy for various zeolites.     

Rapid Synthesis of an Aluminum‐Rich MSE‐Type Zeolite by the Hydrothermal Conversion of an FAU‐Type Zeolite

An aluminum‐rich MSE‐type zeolite (Si/Al is as small as 7) has been successfully synthesized in a remarkably short crystallization period of only 3 days by the hydrothermal conversion of an FAU‐type zeolite, presumably by the assembly of four‐membered‐ring (4‐R) aluminosilicate oligomers supplied by the double 6‐R (D6R) components of the FAU framework with the aid of the structure‐directing agents and seed crystals. The dealuminated version of the aluminum‐rich MSE‐type zeolite showed a high level of coke durability in addition to a significant yield of propylene, which indicates that this novel zeolitic material is suitable for industrial applications as a highly selective and long‐lived catalyst.     

Photoionization,Structures, and Energetics of Na-Doped Formic Acid–Water Clusters

The influence of formic acid on water cluster aggregation has been investigated experimentally by mass spectrometry and tunable UV laser ionization applied to Na-doped clusters formed in the supersonic expansion of water vapors seeded with formic acid (FA) as well as theoretically using high level quantum chemistry methods. The mass spectra of Na−FA(H₂O)_n clusters show an enlarging of mass distribution toward heavier clusters with respect to the Na−(H₂O)_n clusters, suggesting similar mass distribution in neutral clusters and an influence of formic acid in water aggregation. Density functional theory and coupled-cluster type (DLPNO-CCSD(T)) calculations have been used to calculate structures and energetics of neutral and ionized Na−FA(H₂O)_n as well as neutral FA(H₂O)_n. Na-doped clusters are characterized by very stable geometries. The theoretical adiabatic ionization potential values match pretty well the measured appearance energies and the calculated first six electronic excited states show Rydberg-type characters, indicating possible autoionization contributions in the mass spectra. Finally, theoretical calculations on neutral FA(H₂O)_n clusters show the possibility of similarly stable structures in small clusters containing up to n=4–5 water molecules, where FA interacts significantly with waters. This suggests that FA can compete with water molecules in the starting stage of the aggregation process, by forming stable nucleation seed.     

Investigation of the Mechanism of Colloidal Silicalite‐1 Crystallization by Using DLS,SAXS, and 29Si NMR Spectroscopy

Colloidal silicalite‐1 zeolite was crystallized from a concentrated clear sol prepared from tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and aqueous tetrapropylammonium hydroxide (TPAOH) solution at 95 °C. The silicate speciation was monitored by using dynamic light scattering (DLS), synchrotron small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), and quantitative liquid‐state ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy. The silicon atoms were present in dissolved oligomers, two discrete nanoparticle populations approximately 2 and 6 nm in size, and crystals. On the basis of new insight into the evolution of the different nanoparticle populations and of the silicate connectivity in the nanoparticles, a refined crystallization mechanism was derived. Upon combining the reagents, different types of nanoparticles (ca. 2 nm) are formed. A fraction of these nanoparticles with the least condensed silicate structure does not participate in the crystallization process. After completion of the crystallization, they represent the residual silicon atoms. Nanoparticles with a more condensed silicate network grow until approximately 6 nm and evolve into building blocks for nucleation and growth of the silicalite‐1 crystals. The silicate network connectivity of nanoparticles suitable for nucleation and growth increasingly resembles that of the final zeolite. This new insight into the two classes of nanoparticles will be useful to tune the syntheses of silicalite‐1 for maximum yield.     

Synthesis of Na-A and/or Na-X zeolite/porous carbon composites from carbonized rice husk

Na-A and/or Na-X zeolite/porous carbon composites were prepared under hydrothermal conditions by NaOH dissolution of silica first from carbonized rice husk followed by addition of NaAlO₂ and in situ crystallization of zeolites i.e., using a two-step process. When a one-step process was used, both Na-A and Na-X zeolites crystallized on the surface of carbon. Na-A or Na-X zeolite crystals were prepared on the porous carbonized rice husk at 90 °C for 2-6 h by changing the SiO₂/Al₂O₃, H₂O/Na₂O and Na₂O/SiO₂ molar ratios of precursors in the two-step process. The surface area and NH₄⁺-cation exchange capacity (CEC) of Na-A zeolite/porous carbon were found to be 171 m²/g and 506 meq/100 g, respectively, while those of Na-X zeolite/porous carbon composites were 676 m²/g and 317 meq/100 g, respectively. Na-A and Na-X zeolites are well-known microporous and hydrophilic materials while carbonized rice husk was found to be mesoporous (pores of ∼3.9 nm) and hydrophobic. These hybrid microporous-mesoporous and hydrophilic-hydrophobic composites are expected to be useful for decontamination of metal cations as well as organic contaminants simultaneously.     

Recrystallization of Zeolite Y to Analcime and Zeolite P with <SC>d</SC>‐Methionine as Structure‐Directing Agent (SDA)

In this study, the synthesis of template free zeolite Y and its recrystallization to two types of pure zeolite P and analcime in the presence of the amino acid d‐methionine as structure‐directing agent were investigated. The recrystallization occurred solely when specific heating cycles were applyed. A completely crystallized phase of zeolite Y for the mixture of zeolite P and analcime was observed in the presence of d‐methionine at a concentration of 0.015 <SC>m</SC>. The effect of different Si/Al ratios (2.3–9.3), crystallization temperatures (40–160 °C), and crystallization times (28–96 hours) on the achievement of two different zeolite types were studied as well. Pure zeolite P was obtained during conventional heating to 100 °C for 42 hours, whereas pure analcime zeolite was achieved by heating the mixture to 160 °C for 96 hours. The products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and IR spectroscopy.     

A synchrotron SAXS study of miscible blends of semicrystalline poly(vinylidenefluoride) and semicrystalline poly(1,4‐butylene adipate). II. Crystallization,morphology, and PBA inclusion in PVF2 spherulites

The incorporation of poly(1,4‐butylene adipate) (PBA) and its crystallization behavior within poly(vinylidenefluoride) (PVF₂) spherulites in miscible PVF₂/PBA blends have been further studied with small‐angle X‐ray synchrotron scattering (SAXS). The incorporation of PBA into the PVF₂ interlamellar region was found to be dependent on the PVF₂ crystallization conditions. In our previous work, where the blends were crystallized by a one‐step quenching process directly from 190 (a single‐phase region) to 20 °C (a three‐phase region), the transition from PBA inclusion in the PVF₂ interlamellar region to interlamellar exclusion occurred at a PBA weight fraction of ∼ 0.5. In this case, where the blends were first quenched from 190 (a single‐phase region) to 130 °C (a two‐phase region) and then further quenched to 20 °C (a three‐phase region), the transition occurred at a PBA weight fraction of less than 0.3. That is, when a blend is crystallized under different conditions, different amounts of the PBA component are incorporated into the PVF₂ interlamellar phase. The thickness of the PVF₂ interlamellar phase, in turn, may affect the PBA crystalline structure in the interlamellar region. Time‐resolved SAXS was used to probe the crystallization dynamics of both PVF₂ and PBA components in a blend containing 60 wt % PBA. The blend was quenched from the single‐phase region at 190 to 130 °C to crystallize the PVF₂ component and was then further quenched to 20 °C to crystallize the PBA component. This study, together with our earlier results, shows that the time dependence of the PVF₂ crystallization rate and crystalline lamellar thickness is a function of the PBA content in the blend. The glass‐transition temperature of the blend and the PBA diffusion process are the two dominant factors that control the PVF₂ crystallization dynamics. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 2296–2308, 2000     

Growth and characterization of (K<Subscript>0.5</Subscript> Na<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>)NbO<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films by a sol–gel method

(K_0.5 Na_0.5)NbO₃ (KNN) perovskite materials have been developed as a promising lead-free piezoelectric material for environmentally benign piezoelectric devices. KNN films with about 320 nm thickness were fabricated on Pt(111)/SiO₂/Si(100) substrates by a sol–gel method from stoichiometric and A-site ion excess precursor solutions. Two different annealing methods were also used to investigate the crystallographic evolution of the films. A layer-by-layer annealing process results in highly (001) oriented KNN from the annealing temperature of 550 °C, while the final annealing method leads to weaker crystalline peaks with a random orientation. The KNN films from the K and Na excess precursor solutions show similar crystallization behavior. However, the ferroelectric hysteresis loops of the films were greatly improved by compensating for an A-site vacancy. In particular, the KNN films from K-excess precursor solutions show better ferroelectric properties compared to the films prepared from Na excess solutions.     

Silicalite-1修饰的HY型分子筛及其对纤维素水解的催化性能

采用silicalite-1对HY型分子筛进行修饰,得到具有核壳结构的复合分子筛HY/silicalite-1。通过X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)、N2的吸附-脱附及吡啶吸附红外(Py-FTIR)等手段对不同晶化时间合成的HY/silicalite-1复合分子筛进行了表征,研究了复合分子筛对纤维素水解的催化性能。结果表明,晶化时间直接影响复合分子筛的晶体生长规律和两组分的相对含量,最佳晶化时间为16-24 h,所得到的复合分子筛外貌呈核壳结构,silicalite-1附晶生长在HY型分子筛的表面;随着晶化时间的延长,复合分子筛的表面由胶浊状变为光滑,最终变为鳞片状;其B酸量先减少后增加,而L酸量则先增加后减少。其中,晶化时间为24 h的HY/silicalite-1复合分子筛B酸量最大,L酸量最小,对纤维素水解反应具有良好的催化性能,葡萄糖收率由HY型分子筛催化获得的28.0%大幅提高至45.8%。     

Vapor‐Phase Aldolization of n‐Butyraldehyde to 2‐Ethyl‐2‐Hexenal over Solid‐Base Catalysts

Vapor‐phase aldol condensation of n‐butyraldehyde to 2‐ethyl‐2‐hexenal was studied at 1 atm and 150～ 300°C in a fixed‐bed, integral‐flow reactor by using NaX, KX, γ‐Al₂O₃ and Na/NaOH/γ‐Al₂CO₃ catalysts. Ion exchange of NaX zeolite with potassium acetate solution results in a decrease of crystallinity and apparent lowering of surface area, whereas the basic strength is enhanced. Treatment of γ‐Al₂O₃ with NaOH and Na causes a large decrease of the surface area but strong enhancement of the catalyst basicity. The catalytic activity on the basis of unit surface area is in the order Na/NaOH/γ‐Al₂O₃ < KXU < KXW < NaX >γ‐Al₂O₃, in accordance with the relative catalyst basic strength. The molar ratio of trimeric to dimeric products increases with increasing the reaction temperature and the catalyst basic strength except for Na/NaOH/γ‐Al₂O₃. Very high selectivity of 2‐ethyl‐2‐hexenal (>98.5%) was observed for reactions over NaX zeolite at 150°C. Based on the FT‐IR and the catalytic results, the reaction paths are proposed as follows: self‐aldol condensation of n‐butyraldehyde, followed by dehydration produces 2‐ethyl‐2‐hexenal, which then reacts with n‐butyraldehyde and successively dehydrates to 2,4‐diethyl‐2,4‐octadienal and 1,3,5‐triethylbenzene. For the reaction over NaX, the calculated Arrhenius frequency factor and activation energy are 314 mol/g·h and 32.6 kJ/mol, respectively.     

Heterogeneous Heck Reaction in Microemulsion with Palladium Supported Na‐Y Zeolites as Catalyst

Heterogeneous Heck reaction catalyzed by Pd (NH₃)₄ ²⁺‐Na‐Y zeolite in the presence of K₂CO₃ as the base has been carried out in an oil‐in‐water microemulsion based on Triton X10 at 80°C.     

Pervaporation Separation and Catalysis Activity of Novel Zirconium Silicalite-1 Zeolite Membrane

Novel zirconium silicalite‐1 zeolite membrane was hydrothermally prepared on the mullite porous support at 150–185°C for 40–72 h by an "in situ" method using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), zirconium butoxide (ZBOT) and tetrapropylammonium hydroxide (TPAOH) as silica source, zirconium source and organic structure directing agent, respectively. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, fourier transformed infrared (FT‐IR) spectra, and inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry (ICP) of the accompanying zeolite powder confirmed that the zirconium was isomorphously incorporated into the zeolite framework. The surface chemical compositions of the obtained membrane were measured with an energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectral analyzer (EDS), and the membrane morphologies were observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the zeolite crystals growing on the support were zirconium silicalite‐1 zeolites, and the dense membrane layer was composed of the well inter‐growing zeolite crystals. The zirconium silicalite‐1 zeolite membrane, which was derived from the synthesis solution having a molar ratio of 1.00SiO₂:0.01ZrO₂:0.17TPAOH:120H₂O, showed high ethanol permselectivity with a flux of 1.01 kg/(m²·h) accompanied with a separation factor of 73 for ethanol/water (5/95, w/w) system under a pervaporation condition at 60°C. Moreover, this membrane displayed pervaporation‐aided catalysis activity for iso‐propanol oxidation with hydrogen peroxide as oxidant, and the corresponding iso‐propanol conversion was 35%.     

Thorium removal from aqueous solutions of Mexican erionite and X zeolite

Thorium(IV) removal from aqueous solutions by erionite and X zeolite was investigated. The Th(IV) uptake at different thorium nitrate concentrations (from 0.25 to 25 mM) was evaluated. The thorium content in the aqueous solution was determined by neutron activation analysis. Th(IV) retained by zeolites was 1.7 and 3.7 meq/g for erionite and X zeolite. In order to explain the thorium sorption process in both zeolites, ion exchange mechanism was considered. It was found that thorium sorption behavior is strongly dependent of the type of zeolite, the separation factor for Mexican erionite was α^Th(IV) _Na(I)<1, this zeolite shows preference for Na(I) rather than for Th(IV), however, by X zeolite, α^Th(IV) _Na(I)~1, this value suggested an approximately ideal ion exchange behavior. The effect of pH on thorium sorption was also considered. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comparison of Dinitrogen,Methane, Carbon Monoxide,and Carbon Dioxide Mass‐Transport Dynamics in Carbon and Zeolite Molecular Sieves

Equilibrium (based on Henry constants) and kinetic (based on relaxation‐time constants or rather macropore transport diffusivities) selectivities for commercial zeolite and carbon‐molecular‐sieve (CMS) adsorbents were compared. Adsorption isotherms were recorded at ?20°. The frequency‐response (FR) sorption‐rate spectra were determined in the range of ?78 and 70° at 133 Pa. In particles of a larger size than 1.0 mm, macropore diffusion governed the rate of sorption mass transport in both types of microporous materials. The differences in the intercrystalline diffusivities established the kinetic separation of the gases notwithstanding the essential importance of interactions in the micropores. Zeolites seem to be more advantageous for a dynamic separation of CO₂ and CH₄ than CMS 4A. With the CO₂ and CO pair, the CMS is characterized by short characteristic times which, together with a good separation factor, is a double advantage in a short‐cycle adsorption technology. Upon comminution of the carbon pellets, intercrystalline‐diffusion resistance can be completely removed by using CMS 4A adsorbent particles with a diameter smaller than 1 mm. The carbonization of spruce‐wood cubes resulted in an excellent carbon honeycomb structure, which seems to be ideal from a dynamic point of view for applications in short‐cycle adsorption‐separation technologies. In the development of adsorbents, the use of the FR method can be beneficial.