Magic-Angle-Spinning NMR (MAS-NMR) Spectroscopy and the Structure of Zeolites

After outlining the chemical features and properties which make zeolites such an important group of catalysts and sorbents, the article explains how high-resolution solid-state NMR with magic-angle spinning reveals numerous new insights into their structure. ²⁹Si-MAS-NMR readily and quantitatively identifies five distinct Si(OAl)_n(OSi)_4-n structural groups in zeolitic frameworks (n = 0, 1,….4), corresponding to the first tetrahedral coordination shell of a silicon atom. Many catalytic and other chemical properties of zeolites are governed by the short-range Si, Al order, the nature of which is greatly clarified by ²⁹Si-MAS-NMR. It is shown that, as expected from Pauling's electroneutrality principle and Loewenstein's rule, both in zeolite X and in zeolite A (with Si/Al = 1.00) there are no ? Al? O? Al? linkages. In zeolite A and zeolite X with Si/Al = 1.00 there is strict alternation of Si and Al on the tetrahedral sites. Ordering models for Si/Al ratios up to 5.00 (in zeolite Y) may also be evaluated by a combination of MAS-NMR experiments and computational procedures. ²⁹Si-MAS-NMR spectra reveal the presence of numerous crystallographically distinct Si(OSi)₄ sites in silicalite/ZSM-5, suggesting that the correct space group for these related porosilicates is not Pnma. ²⁷Al-MAS-NMR clearly distinguishes tetrahedrally and octahedrally coordinated aluminum, proving that, contrary to earlier claims, Al in silicalite is tetrahedrally substituted within the framework. In combination, ²⁹Si- and ²⁷Al-MAS-NMR is a powerful tool for monitoring the course of solid-state processes (such as ultrastabilization of synthetic faujasites) and of gas-solid reactions (dealumination of zeolites with silicon tetrachloride vapor at elevated temperatures). They also permit the quantitative determination of framework Si/Al ratios in the region 1.00 < Si/Al < 10 000. Since most elements in the periodic table may be accommodated within zeolite structures, either as part of the exchangeable cations or as building units of the anionic framework, there is immense scope for investigation by MAS-NMR and its variants (cross-polarization, multiple pulse and variable-angle spinning) of bulk, surface and chemical properties. Some of the directions in which future research in zeolite science may proceed are adumbrated.     

Post‐Synthesis Stabilization of Germanosilicate Zeolites ITH,IWW, and UTL by Substitution of Ge for Al

Germanosilicate zeolites often suffer from low hydrothermal stability due to the high content of Ge. Herein, we investigated the post‐synthesis introduction of Al accompanied by stabilization of selected germanosilicates by degermanation/alumination treatments. The influence of chemical composition and topology of parent germanosilicate zeolites ( ITH , IWW , and UTL ) on the post‐synthesis incorporation of Al was studied. Alumination of ITH (Si/Ge=2–13) and IWW (Si/Ge=3–7) zeolites resulted in the partial substitution of Ge for Al (up to 80 %), which was enhanced with a decrease of Ge content in the parent zeolite. In contrast, in extra‐large pore zeolite UTL (Si/Ge=4–6) the hydrolysis of the interlayer Ge?O bonds dominated over substitution. The stabilization of zeolite UTL was achieved using a novel two‐step degermanation/alumination procedure by the partial post‐synthesis substitution of Ge for Si followed by alumination. This new method of stabilization and incorporation of strong acid sites may extend the utilization of germanosilicate zeolites, which has been until now been limited.     

高硅Y沸石的研制及性能——Ⅱ.沸石孔结构及吸附性能

LiNaY沸石经SiCl₄气相同晶脱铝补硅后制得系列高硅铝比、高结晶度的Y沸石,用低温氮吸附法,求得样品对N₂的吸附—脱附等温线,从而计算其比表面和孔体积,并采用BJH模型计算孔径分布。用真空重量法测定了四种C₆化合物(正己烷,2,3-二甲基丁烷、苯、环己烷)的吸附等温线,探讨吸附量与吸附物的性能(极性、几何构型)、吸附量与吸附剂脱铝深度的关系。从而得到,经SiCl₄同晶取代后Y沸石的孔结构和表面性质与脱铝深度的关系。     

Distribution of aluminum in different periodical building units of MOR and BEA zeolites

Various commercial, homemade, and dealuminated mordenites (MOR) and beta (BEA) zeolites as well as cobalt modified BEAs have been characterized by 29Si- and 27Al solid-state magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) spectroscopy. The quantitative contributions of Si(nAl) and Si(OH)x sites to the NMR signal intensities were calculated from the various Si/Al ratios and relative 29Si and 27Al NMR signal intensities assuming a special distribution of aluminum in different periodical building units of the zeolite framework. A different dealumination and silanol formation mechanism for MOR and BEA was suggested. We conclude that we are able to distinguish the Si(OH)x groups that are original defect sites or produced in a dealumination or calcination process.     

A theoretical study of hydrothermal stability of P-modified ZSM-5 zeolites

Density functional theory was employed to study the hydrothermal stability of P-modified ZSM-5 zeolites using cluster models. The calculations of hydrolysis energies indicated that the introduction of phos-phorus increases the hydrothermal stability of ZSM-5 zeolites. The initial paths of dealumination were studied with explicit water molecules. It was found that the framework Al—O coordination bond can be replaced by coodination bonds between water molecules and the aluminium. One to three water molecules ...     

Study of the geometry and location of the bridging OH groups in aluminosilicate and silicoaluminophosphate type zeolites using 1H MAS NMR sideband analysis and CP/MAS NMR

A numerical analysis of the ¹H MAS NMR sideband pattern of the bridging OH groups in various zeolites of the aluminosilicate type (LTA, faujasite, erionite, mordenite, pentasil) and of the silicoaluminophosphate type (SAPO-5, −17, −34, −37) yields H-Al distances of the hydroxyl protons to the adjacent framework aluminium nucleus which cover a range between 0.234 and 0.252 nm. From the results, a relation between the H-Al distance and the size of the oxygen rings (6−, 8−, 10− and 12-membered oxygen rings) could be derived. Using ²⁹Si CP/MAS NMR it was shown that the bridging OH groups in zeolites of the aluminosilicate type are located at the Si(nAl) sites with the largest possible number n. While the second coordination sphere of the T positions of the bridging OH groups in zeolites of the silicoaluminophosphate type (Si/(Al + P + Si) < 0.12) is occupied by the same number of phosphorus and aluminium atoms, the bridging OH groups in zeolites of the aluminosilicate type with medium framework aluminium densities are located at the Si(nAl) sites with n = 3, 2 and 1.     

Magic angle spinning29Si and27Al NMR study of mordenite dealumination

Magic angle spinning²⁹Si NMR presents a rapid qualitative method of assessing the degree of dealumination of sodium mordenite modified by acid leaching and heat treatment. A quantitative determination of the²⁹Si coordination sphere is hampered by the overlap of chemical shift ranges for Si?O?Al and Si?O?H species. MAS²⁷Al NMR indicates the presence of octahedrally coordinated Al in interstitial sites in all treated samples. On treating mordenite samples at high temperatures (～700°C) much of the Al becomes invisible to the NMR experiment because of its location in sites of low symmetry and large quadrupole coupling constant.     

异丁烯在不同硅铝比的NanZSM-5型分子筛中的吸附：分子模拟研究

Frameworks of NanZSM-5 type zeolites with various Si/A1 ratios have been constructed and optimized with molecular dynamic quench simulation. The results show that the structure parameters of NanZSM-5 type zeolite, including the bond length and atomic charges, are consistent with those predicted by ab initio cluster calculations. It was also observed that atomic charges of Si atoms were shifted to higher field in NanZSM-5 type zeolite with lower Si/Al ratio. Then, the adsorption of isobutene on NanZSM-5 with various Si/Al ratios has been investigated using grand canonical ensemble Monte Carlo simulation and Cvff-300-1.01 forcefield. The simulated adsorption amount was in good agreement with the experimental data. Based on these facts, the effects of Si/Al ratio on the adsorption amount and adsorption isotherms of isobutene on NanZSM-5 were predicted. The results indicated that Si/Al ratio was important for the adsorption of isobutene and the adsorption amount was decreased as the Si/Al ratio was increased, which can be explained that the atomic charge of Na^＋ cation would influence greatly the π electrons of the isobutene double bond due to the Coulomb force. In addition, the adsorption sites of isobutene and interaction energy of isobutene with NanZSM-5 were also discussed.     

^29Si,^27AIMASNMR研究不同脱铝深度稀土 超稳Y沸石中Si、Al的分布

本文应用^29Si,^27AIMASNMR和XRD技术,测量了四种不同脱铝深度的稀土超稳Y沸石的骨架硅铝比,得到了一致的结果,并研究了稀土超稳Y沸石的脱铝过程和稀土离子和Y沸石骨架铝的机理.发现稀土离子存在时,Y沸石骨架中Si、Al的分布与相同硅铝比的ＨＹ不同,在浅、中度脱铝时,主要脱除的是Si(2Al)和Si(3Al)中的铝,深度脱铝时,主要是Si(1Al)和少量Si(2Al)中的铝,而Si(3Al)几乎不变,提出稀土离子最可能是位于方钠的Si(3Al)附近,平衡三个AlO 四面体上的负电荷,起到稳定Si(3Al)结构单元的作用.其次,稀土超稳Y沸石中总的非骨架铝(N~Al)~EF,随脱铝深度的增加而增加,仅只在REUSY-38的^27AIMAS NMR谱中观察到Al^3+非骨架铝的存在.^29Si,^27AIMASNMR     

低硅铝比ZSM-5分子筛的合成及其正庚烷裂化反应性能

以氨水为矿化剂,通过添加NH₄⁺离子水热合成了具有较低骨架硅铝比的ZSM-5分子筛。通过X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、固体核磁共振(MAS-NMR)等表征手段,研究了硅源、铝源、矿化剂、阳离子等对ZSM-5分子筛的结晶度、形貌尺寸和骨架硅铝比等的影响,研究了ZSM-5分子筛的骨架硅铝比对正庚烷催化裂化反应的影响。研究表明,投料硅铝比越低,铝原子越难进入到分子筛骨架中;当氨水为矿化剂、正硅酸四乙酯为硅源时可以合成骨架硅铝比较低的氢型ZSM-5分子筛,添加NH₄⁺离子可以增强骨架铝的嵌入,进一步降低分子筛的骨架硅铝比(24.2)。正庚烷裂化反应结果表明,降低分子筛的骨架硅铝比可以提高正庚烷裂化反应的活性,但会降低低碳烯烃的选择性。     

Unified formula and volume characteristics in comparative crystal chemistry of natural zeolites

Formulas of natural zeolites are generally cumbersome and not easily comparable because of differences in their written form. A summary of the formulas normalized at n=1 is given for aluminosilicate zeolites with the [(Si,Al) _n O_2n ] frameworks. Novel volume parameters are proposed for the framework instead of the framework density (FD) and a zeolite as a whole, which are calculated as the effective volumes of a mean (Si, Al, O) atom and a mean atom of the compound. We show the efficiency of the comparative crystal chemical analysis of zeolites in a common scale with the use of unified characteristics.     

Supercritical fluid-mediated alumination of mesoporous silica and its beneficial effect on hydrothermal stability

We have investigated the use of supercritical fluids (SCFs) as carriers/solvents during the postsynthesis alumination of mesoporous silica. SCFs were found to be ideally suited for transport of Al into mesoporous silica and to lead to Al-grafted aluminosilicate materials that exhibit exceptional hydrothermal (steam) stability even for highly aluminated materials. The improvements in steam stability arising from the use of SCFs as grafting media (as compared to aqueous or organic solvents) are remarkable, especially for Al-grafted MCM-41 materials with high (Si/Al < or = 10) Al contents. It is proposed that under supercritical fluid conditions Al is sorbed on the surface of the pore walls of the host Si-MCM-41 with little penetration into the pore wall region, that is, the low solvating power of SCFs ensures the deposition of Al onto rather than into the silica framework. This is because the host silica framework cannot undergo any significant hydrolysis (to allow penetration of Al into the pore wall region) during the SCF-mediated alumination. Removal of the Al (i.e., dealumination) which occurs during steaming is therefore less detrimental to the structural integrity of SCF-grafted Al-MCM-41 materials since any dealumination that occurs will not involve removal of Al from deep within the pore walls.     

氯硅烷改性对Y沸石结构的影响

用２９Ｓｉ，２７ＡｌＭＡＳＮＭＲ，ＸＲＤ及化学分析法研究了氯硅烷改性Ｙ沸石的结构及组成变化，结果表明改性过程伴有脱铝和补硅作用，并同时有大量非骨架铝碎片形成．非骨架铝有两类，一类是２７ＡｌＭＡＳＮＭＲ可测的，另一类是不可测的．改性沸石的酸性可能来源于非骨架铝碎片．对各催化剂上甲苯歧化反应的考察表明，由于改性沸石酸度适中，是较ＨＹ沸石优良的催化剂．     

沸石分子筛的骨架同晶置换(Ⅰ)——NH4BF4溶液中沸石分子筛的脱铝补硅

通过NH₄BF₄溶液对沸石分子筛进行脱铝补硅,对所得产物已用多种技术表征。结果表明,在此处理过程中,产物的硅铝比随溶液中NH₄BF₄浓度的增加而增加,热稳定性随之增强,酸量随之减弱,未发现硼对骨架元素的同晶置换,而发生了脱铝补硅作用。     

High resolution adsorption isotherms of N2 and Ar for nonporous silicas and MFI zeolites

The high resolution adsorption isotherms of N₂ (77.4 K) and Ar (87.3 K) have been measured for two nonporous silicas with different silanol contents (3.3 and 0.35 OH/nm²) and for two MFI zeolite with different Al contents (Si/Al=12.5 and 500). Silanol groups and Al sites (acid sites) gives the significant effect on the N₂ isotherms at submonolayer, but the Ar isotherms are independent of silanols and Al sites. The Ar isotherms, therefore, are preferable in calculation of microporosity of zeolites. The N₂ and Ar isotherms for MFI zeolite (Si/Al=500) have been measured at temperatures of 77–94 K, from which the differential adsorption energies of N₂ and Ar are calculated. The interaction of N₂ with channel surface of MFI zeolite is greater than that of Ar in the range of α _s =0.1–0.7. The hystereses are detected for the N₂ isotherm in p/p ^o=0.1–0.3 at 77.4 K and for the Ar isotherm in p/p ^o=3×10⁻⁴–2×10⁻³ at 87.3 K. However, it is difficult to explain the hysteresis phenomenon using differential adsorption energy.     

Impact of Mineralizing Agents on Aluminum Distribution and Acidity of ZSM-5 Zeolites

Intensive research on improving the catalytic properties of zeolites is focused on modulating their acidity and the distribution of associated Al sites. Herein, by studying a series of ZSM-5 zeolites over a broad range of Al content, we demonstrate how the nature of the mineralizing agent (F⁻ or OH⁻) used in hydrothermal syntheses directly impacts Al sites distribution. The proportions of Al sites, probed by ²⁷Al NMR, depend on the Si/Al ratio for F⁻, but remain identical for OH⁻ (from Si/Al=30 to 760). This leads to contrasting variations in weak and strong acidities. Such opposite effect of mineralizers is explained by the spatial location of negative charges and the resulting balance between short- and long-range electrostatic interactions. This understanding paves the way for additional and simple opportunities to control zeolites’ acidity.     

Characterization of the SiOT Angle and Cation Effects on 29Si Chemical Shifts Of Zeolites

The quantitative relationships between ²⁹Si chemical shifts and (a) the SiOT (T = Al or Si) angles and (b) the nature of the cations of the alkali forms of zeolites can be account for by the changes of charge density and p electron population of the Si atoms as calculated by the extended Hückel method on cluster models.     

吡咯-IR法测定铝化β沸石的碱性

The basicities of aluminated zeolites βhave been investigated by FTIR spectra of chemisorbed pyrrole. The NH-stretching frequency of pyrrole adsorbed on the samples shifts towards lower wavenumber as the St/Al ratio is decreased and correlates well with the negative charge on the framework oxygen calculated from the Sanderson electronegativity equalization principle, revealing zeolite β to possess a stronger overall basicity after alumination and, therefore, the alumination to be an effective method to improve the basicity. It is also found that the heterogeneity of basic strength occurs and some stronger basic sites appear after alumination.     

脱铝丝光分子筛应用于MTP反应:Al的落位和晶体形貌的影响

甲醇制烯烃/丙烯工艺(MTO/MTP)是当前煤基碳资源绿色催化转化的重要过程之一.在MTO/MTP工艺中,分子筛通常面临低碳烯烃选择性低、水热稳定性差和寿命短等挑战.开发高选择性和高稳定性的分子筛催化剂对煤基乙烯/丙烯等化学品的工业生产具有重要意义.本文选择了具有12元环孔道的低硅丝光分子筛(Si/Al=6)为母体,对其进行脱铝处理制备了一系列不同Al含量的高硅丝光(Si/Al=51?436)催化剂.通过N_2-吸附、NH₃程序升温脱附、羟基红外光谱、CD3CN-IR和Py-IR等技术对脱铝前后分子筛的孔道结构、酸密度、酸强度和铝的落位进行了深入研究,并将其与MTP反应性能进行关联.结果表明,骨架Al的脱除在晶体中引入了介孔.随着Si/Al的提高,分子筛的酸量和酸强度同时降低.深度脱铝后的丝光分子筛中只存在少量位于8元环侧口袋与12元环交叉口处的T2和T4位Al原子.Si/Al高于150的脱铝丝光分子筛在MTP反应中丙烯选择性高达63%,丙烯/乙烯的比值高达10.与低硅丝光分子筛相比,深度脱铝的丝光分子筛表现出更好的稳定性和更长的寿命.相同反应条件下,低硅丝光样品(Si/Al=6)反应2 h后完全失活(转化率低于10%),而高硅丝光样品(Si/Al=274)反应132 h后转化率仍然高于80%.丝光分子筛在脱铝处理后催化性能得到大幅提升的原因为:酸密度和酸强度的降低显著改变了双循环机理历程,反应中芳烃循环的比重下降,烯烃循环得到了增强,进而提高了丙烯选择性并抑制了积碳速率.此外,脱铝后保留下来的Al原子(活性中心)位于12元环孔道,其大孔结构与脱铝引入的介孔孔道为反应物、中间体及产物的扩散提供了充足的空间,进一步抑制了副反应的发生和积碳的生成.进一步研究丝光分子筛形貌对MTP反应的影响发现,丝光分子筛尺寸的变化不改变产物分布,但显著影响催化剂寿命,其原因在于丝光分子筛c-轴长度的增加使得烃池物种的扩散受到限制,导致催化剂的寿命降低.     

Crystallization of ZSM-12 Zeolite with Different Si/Al Ratio

In this work the acid properties of a series of HZSM-12 zeolites with different Si/Al ratio were studied. The ZSM-12 crystals were synthesized by the hydrothermal method starting from a gel with the following molar composition: 20MTEA:10Na₂O:x Al₂O₃:100SiO₂:2000H₂O, with x = 0.50, 0.67, 1, 1.25 and 2, respectively. The gels were crystallized at 140^∘C for 6 days, then washed, dried and calcined to remove the MTEA template. The samples were ion-exchanged with an ammonium chloride solution and calcined again to obtain the zeolites in the acid form. The materials thus obtained were characterized by XRD, SEM, BET, TG and n-butylamine adsorption. The Si/Al ratio in the reaction mixture affects the amount of zeolite produced and the size of the particles. The XRD analysis indicated that the ZSM-12 zeolite crystallizes in a pure form only with Si/Al ratio above 33. The SEM analysis showed the presence of crystallites with very well defined prismatic shapes. The removal of the MTEA of the pores of the ZSM-12 by TG indicated that there are two kinds of internal sites occupied by MTEA inside the structure. The BET area of the ZSM-12 decreases proportionally with the crystallinity of materials. The desorption of n-butylamine showed that the acid site density is proportional to aluminum content, but the Si/Al ratio shows little influence on the relative strengths of these sites.