Synthesis and adsorption investigations of zeolites MCM-22 and MCM-49 modified by alkali metal cations

Ion exchange was made on MCM-22 and MCM-49 zeolites with different Si/Al molar ratios, with Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and Cs⁺ ions and the study of the influence of alkali metal cations on CO₂ adsorption properties was performed. The degree of ion-exchange decreased for larger cations (Cs⁺) apparently due to steric hindrances. The exchange with different cations led to a decrease in the surface area and the micropore volume. Our study shows that the adsorption capacity of the tested zeolites depends significantly on the nature and the concentration of the charge-compensating cations. The highest CO₂ adsorption capacity was obtained on the MWW zeolites with the lowest Si/Al molar ratio and the Li⁺ or K⁺ cations.     

Adsorption behaviors of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> on zeolites JSR and Na<Subscript>n</Subscript>JSR using the GCMC simulations

The adsorption behaviors of CO₂ and CH₄ on new siliceous zeolites JSR and Na_nJSR (n = 2, 8, 16) were simulated using the Grand Canonical Monte Carlo method. The adsorption isotherms of CO₂ became higher with an increase in the Na⁺ number at a low pressure range (<150 kPa), whereas the isotherms showed a crossover with increasing pressure and the adsorption amount became smaller at a high pressure range (>850 kPa). With an increase in Na⁺ number, the pore volume decreased as the pore space was occupied by increasing Na⁺ ions. Additionally, two energy peaks on the interaction energy curves implied that CO₂ was adsorbed on two active sites. On the other hand, the adsorption amount of CH₄ decreased with an increase in the Na⁺ number and only one energy peak was observed. Adsorption isotherms were well fitted with the Langmuir and Freundlich equations up to 1000 kPa and the adsorption affinity of CO₂ on Na₁₆JSR zeolite was highest. The adsorption capacities of CO₂ in the studied zeolites were up to 38 times higher than those of CH₄. Diffusion constants of CO₂ and CH₄ decreased with an increase in the adsorbed amount and Na⁺ number. Considering the adsorbed amount, adsorption selectivity and affinity, zeolites JSR with a low Na⁺ number (JSR and Na₂JSR) is a good candidate for a pressure swing adsorption in the separation of CO₂/CH₄ mixture whereas JSR zeolites with high Na⁺ ratios (Na₁₆JSR and Na₈JSR) may be a better selection for a vacuum swing adsorption.     

Adsorption and separation of carbon dioxide and methane in new zeolites using the Grand Canonical Monte Carlo method

The adsorption and separation behaviors of CO₂ and CH₄ in new siliceous zeolites (IFO, JSR, OKO, SEW) were simulated using the Grand Canonical Monte Carlo method in the paper. The adsorption isotherms for pure components and binary mixtures of CO₂ and CH₄ in four siliceous zeolites were obtained. The adsorption thermodynamic properties including Gibb’s free energy change, enthalpy change and entropy change were investigated. The results demonstrate that the adsorbed amount of pure components increases with an increase in pressure, and larger pore volume and surface area are beneficial to improve the adsorption capacity. The adsorption amount of CO₂ and CH₄ in the JSR zeolite is 7.08 and 2.27 mmol g^?1 at 1000 kPa, respectively. In view of the thermodynamic results, the new siliceous zeolites show a higher affinity for CO₂. The adsorption capacities of CO₂ in all zeolites were five times more than those of CH₄ in binary mixtures based on the ratios of equilibrium adsorption capacity. Considering the adsorption uptake and selectivity for CO₂/CH₄, the JSR zeolite is a good candidate for the separation of CO₂/CH₄ at low pressure.     

The inorganic cation-tailored “trapdoor” effect of silicoaluminophosphate zeolite for highly selective CO2 separation

Functional nanoporous materials are widely explored for CO₂ separation, in particular, small-pore aluminosilicate zeolites having a “trapdoor” effect. Such an effect allows the specific adsorbate to push away the sited cations inside the window followed by exclusive admission to the zeolite pores, which is more advantageous for highly selective CO₂ separation. Herein, we demonstrated that the protonated organic structure-directing agent in the small-pore silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) RHO zeolite can be directly exchanged with Na⁺, K⁺, or Cs⁺ and that the Na⁺ form of SAPO-RHO exhibited unprecedented separation for CO₂/CH₄, superior to all of the nanoporous materials reported to date. Rietveld refinement revealed that Na⁺ is sited in the center of the single eight-membered ring (s8r), while K⁺ and Cs⁺ are sited in the center of the double 8-rings (d8rs). Theoretical calculations showed that the interaction between Na⁺ and the s8r in SAPO-RHO was stronger than that in aluminosilicate RHO, giving an enhanced “trapdoor” effect and record high selectivity for CO₂ with the separation factor of 2196 for CO₂/CH₄ (0.02/0.98 bar). The separation factor of Na-SAPO-RHO for CO₂/N₂ was 196, which was the top level among zeolitic materials. This work opens a new avenue for gas separation by using diverse silicoaluminophosphate zeolites in terms of the cation-tailored “trapdoor” effect.

The sodium form of silicoaluminophosphate RHO zeolite exhibits a pronounced cation-tailored “trapdoor” effect, showing an unprecedented selectivity adsorption separation performance for CO₂/CH₄ and CO₂/N₂.     

Reduction‐Induced Highly Selective Uptake of Cesium Ions by an Ionic Crystal Based on Silicododecamolybdate

Cation adsorption and exchange has been an important topic in both basic and applied chemistry relevant to materials synthesis and chemical conversion, as well as purification and separation. Selective Cs⁺ uptake from aqueous solutions is especially important because Cs⁺ is expensive and is contained in radioactive wastes. However, the reported adsorbents incorporate Rb⁺ as well as Cs⁺, and an adsorbent with high selectivity toward Cs⁺ has not yet been reported. Highly selective uptake of Cs⁺ by an ionic crystal (etpyH)₂[Cr₃O(OOCH)₆(etpy)₃]₂[α‐SiMo₁₂O₄₀]?3 H₂O (etpy =4‐ethylpyridine) is described. The compound incorporated up to 3.8 mol(Cs⁺) mol(s)^?1 (where s=solid) by cation‐exchange with etpyH⁺ and reduction of silicododecamolybdate with ascorbic acid. The amount of Cs⁺ uptake was comparable to that of Prussian blue, which is widely recognized as a good Cs⁺ adsorbent. Moreover, other alkali‐metal and alkaline‐earth‐metal cations were almost completely excluded (<0.2 mol mol(s)^?1).     

Regulating Extra-Framework Cations in Faujasite Zeolites for Capture of Trace Carbon Dioxide

The development of cost-effective sorbents for direct capture of trace CO₂ (<1 %) from the atmosphere is an important and challenging task. Natural or commercial zeolites are promising sorbents, but their performance in adsorption of trace CO₂ has been poorly explored to date. A systematic study on capture of trace CO₂ by commercial faujasite zeolites reveals that the extra-framework cations play a key role on their performance. Under dry conditions, Ba−X displays high dynamic uptake of 1.79 and 0.69 mmol g⁻¹ at CO₂ concentrations of 10000 and 1000 ppm, respectively, and shows excellent recyclability in the temperature-swing adsorption processes. K−X exhibits perfect moisture resistance, and >95 % dry CO₂ uptake can be preserved under relative humidity of 74 %. In situ solid-state NMR spectroscopy, synchrotron X-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction reveal two binding sites for CO₂ in these zeolites, namely the basic framework oxygen atoms and the divalent alkaline earth metal ions. This study unlocks the potential of low-cost natural zeolites for applications in direct air capture.     

Zeolites modified by CuCl for separating CO from gas mixtures containing CO2

Although zeolites such as NaY and 13X adsorb CO₂ much more than CO, the adsorption amount of CO₂ and CO can be reversed if the zeolites are modified with CuCl. When zeolite NaY or 13X is mixed with CuCl and heated, high CO adsorption selectivity and capacity can be obtained. Isotherms show the adsorbents have CO capacity much higher than CO₂. This is because CuCl has dispersed onto the surface of the zeolites to form a monolayer after the heat treatment and the monolayer dispersed CuCl can provide tremendous Cu(I) to selective adsorb CO and inhibit the CO₂ adsorption. The monolayer dispersion of CuCl is confirmed by XRD and EXAFS studies. The loading of CuCl on the zeolites has a threshold below which the CuCl forms monolayer after heating and crystalline phase of CuCl can not be detected by XRD. An adsorbent of CuCl/NaY with CuCl content closed to the monolayer capacity shows very high CO selective adsorbability for CO₂, N₂, H₂ and CH₄. At temperature higher than room temperature, the adsorbent has even better CO selectivity for CO₂. Using the adsorbent, a single-stage 4 beds PSA process, working at 70°C and 0.4 MPa to 0.013 MPa, can obtain CO product with purity >99.5% and yield >85%.     

Isosteric heats of adsorption of carbon dioxide on zeolite MCM-22 modified by alkali metal cations

Adsorption isotherms of carbon dioxide were measured on cation-exchanged (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺) MCM-22 zeolite with the molar ratio of Si/Al=15 and series of Na-MCM-22 of Si/Al molar ratios varying in the range from 15 to 40 at 273, 293, 313 and 333 K. Based on the known temperature dependence of CO₂ adsorption, isosteric heats of adsorption were calculated. The obtained dependences of isosteric heats related to the amount of CO₂ adsorbed have provided detailed insight into the interaction of carbon dioxide molecule with alkali metal cations.     

Synthesis of PAN/ferrocyanide composite incorporated with cetrimonium bromide and its employment as a bifunctional adsorbent for coremoval of Cs+ and HCrO4− from aqueous solutions

Polyacrylonitrile/ferrocyanide composite incorporated with cetrimonium bromide (PFICB) was synthesized and evaluated as a novel bifunctional adsorbent for coremoval of Cs⁺ and HCrO₄^?. Results of the reaction time effect showed that adsorption of Cs⁺ and HCrO₄^? onto PFICB were rapid processes. The effect of the solution pH in the range 2.5–10 revealed that PFICB had the ability to simultaneously remove Cs⁺ and HCrO₄^?. The maximum adsorption capacity of PFICB was found to be 41.79 mg/g for Cs⁺ and 19.39 mg/g for HCrO₄^?. These values were compared with those reported in literature using other adsorbents.

     

Synthesis of Discrete CHA Zeolite Nanocrystals without Organic Templates for Selective CO2 Capture

Small-pore zeolites such as chabazite (CHA) are excellent candidates for the selective separation of CO₂; however, the current synthesis involves several steps and the use of organic structure-directing agent (OSDA), increasing their cost and energy requirements. We report the synthesis of small-pore zeolite crystals (aluminosilicate) with CHA-type framework structure by direct synthesis in a colloidal suspension containing a mixture of inorganic cations only (Na⁺, K⁺, and Cs⁺). The location of CO₂ molecules in the host structure was revealed by 3D electron diffraction (3D ED). The high sorption capacity for CO₂ (3.8 mmol g⁻¹ at 121 kPa), structural stability and regenerability of the discreate CHA zeolite nanocrystals is maintained for 10 consecutive cycles without any visible degradation. The CHA zeolite (Si:Al=2) reaches an almost perfect CO₂ storage capacity (8 CO₂ per unit cell) and high selectivity (no CH₄ was adsorbed).     

不同碱处理制备多级孔HZSM-5催化剂及噻吩烷基化性能研究

用Na₂CO₃、TPAOH和TPA⁺/CO₃^2-混合碱分别处理HZSM-5分子筛,采用FT-IR、XRD、XRF、N₂吸附脱附、SEM、NH₃-TPD及Py-FTIR表征手段对各类碱处理前后的HZSM-5分子筛进行表征。结果表明,3种类型的碱处理HZSM-5分子筛后,均能形成微孔-介孔多级孔道的HZSM-5(A)催化剂,并能调变催化剂的酸性,其中,TPA⁺/CO₃^2-混合碱处理得到的HZSM-5(TPA⁺/CO₃^2-)催化剂,比表面积最大,介孔数量最多。在小型固定床反应器上,考察了HZSM-5和HZSM-5(A)催化剂的噻吩烷基化性能,结果表明,HZSM-5(TPA⁺/CO₃^2-)催化剂因为具有适当的多级孔孔道和较多的B酸中心而表现出较高的噻吩转化率和1-己烯对噻吩的选择性。     

Proton‐Transfer Reaction Dynamics and Energetics in Calcification and Decalcification

CaCO₃‐saturated saline waters at pH values below 8.5 are characterized by two stationary equilibrium states: reversible chemical calcification/decalcification associated with acid dissociation, Ca²⁺+HCO₃^??CaCO₃+H⁺; and reversible static physical precipitation/dissolution, Ca²⁺+CO₃^2??CaCO₃. The former reversible reaction was determined using a strong base and acid titration. The saturation state described by the pH/P_CO2‐independent solubility product, [Ca²⁺][CO₃^2?], may not be observed at pH below 8.5 because [Ca²⁺][CO₃^2?]/([Ca²⁺][HCO₃^?]) ?1. Since proton transfer dynamics controls all reversible acid dissociation reactions in saline waters, the concentrations of calcium ion and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) were expressed as a function of dual variables, pH and P_CO2. The negative impact of ocean acidification on marine calcifying organisms was confirmed by applying the experimental culture data of each P_CO2/pH‐dependent coral polyp skeleton weight (Wskel) to the proton transfer idea. The skeleton formation of each coral polyp was performed in microspaces beneath its aboral ectoderm. This resulted in a decalcification of 14 weight %, a normalized CaCO₃ saturation state Λ of 1.3 at P_CO2 ≈400 ppm and pH ≈8.0, and serious decalcification of 45 % and Λ 2.5 at P_CO2 ≈1000 ppm and pH ≈7.8.     

13C NMR investigations of carbon monoxide adsorbed in zeolites

¹³C NMR spectra of CO and CO₂ molecules adsorbed in zeolites of A, X, Y type were measured as a function of temperature and pore filling. In contrast to other systems, strong resonance shifts to lower fields appear when CO is adsorbed in decationated zeolites. These shifts can be interpteted by an interaction with adsorption sites of Lewis type.     

Photophysical and photochemical processes in zeolite cavities: The effects of ion-exchanged alkalimetal cations on the excited states of xanthone and the photolysis of 2-pentanone

The characteristics properties of xanthone phosphorescence and of 2-pentanone photolysis in alkali metal cation-exchanged zeolites have been investigated to clarify the effect of the micro-environment of host-adsorbents on the photophysical and photochemical properties of guest-molecules in restricted void spaces. The enhancement of the phosphorescence yields of xanthone included in zeolites is observed by changing the exchangeablealkali metal cation from Li⁺ to Cs⁺. Simultaneously, the phosphorescence lifetimes were observed to continuously shorten by changing the cation from Li⁺ to Cs⁺. These results suggest that the external heavy-atom effect deriving from the alkali metal cations on the singlet-triplet transitions of xanthone molecules stabilized on alkali metal cations in the order of Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺. The yields for the photolysis of 2-pentanone included in zeolites increase with changing the alkali metal cation from Li⁺ to Cs⁺. IR investigations of the adsorption state of 2-pentanone indicate that strength of the interaction between the alkali metal cations and 2-pentanones decreases by changing the cation from Li⁺ to Cs⁺, which results in a longer lifetime of 2-pentanone. The selectivity of propylene formation is dramatically increased by changing the cation from Li⁺ to Cs⁺. The enhanced formation of propylene is asociated with the hydrogen absorption from propyl radicals by lattice oxygen, their basicity increasing by changing the cation from Li⁺ to Cs⁺. Thus, these changes in the zeolite cavities modified by exchanging cations caused significant effects not only on the excited state but also on the following chemical reactions of ketones.     

Determination of Electronic Recombination Free Energy in Zeolites: Effects of the Charge Balancing Cation and Confinement

The adsorption of DPH in M_6.6ZSM-5 (M=Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺), RbFER and RbMOR channel zeolites takes place without chemical or structural modification. After photoexcitation of these systems, a radical cation–electron pair is observed and has a sufficiently long lifetime to be studied by diffuse reflectance UV-visible spectroscopy. The study of the recombination of this radical cation-electron pair was carried out at different temperatures and allowed the determination of the activation energy as a function of the nature of the charge-balancing cation but also of the confinement effect. It appears that the activation energy decreases progressively from Na⁺ to Cs⁺ but also when the confinement decreases. To go further, the free enthalpies have been calculated from the Marcus theory demonstrating experimentally that these systems are located in the inverted Marcus region.     

Study of adsorption sites heterogeneity in zeolites by means of coupled microcalorimetry with volumetry

Adsorption of CO₂ as probe molecule on alkali-metal zeolites of MFI structure was investigated by joint volumetry–calorimetry. Consideration was given to the interpretation of the heat evolved when a probe molecule is adsorbed on the surface. In particular, the number and the strength of adsorption sites are discussed as functions of zeolite structure, concentration, and nature of extra-framework cation. The adsorption heats (q _iso) of CO₂ interaction with alkali-metal cations decrease for MFI zeolite with high Si/Al in the sequence Li⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ from 54 kJ/mol to 49 and 43 kJ/mol, respectively. In addition, the adsorption heats are influenced by concentration of Al in the framework. This phenomenon is attributed to formation of bridged CO₂ adsorption complexes formed between two cations. On the base of quantitative analysis of adsorption processes, presence of geminal adsorption complexes was suggested for adsorption at higher equilibrium pressures.     

Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity of a Zinc Porphyrin for CO2 Reduction: Cooperative Effects of Triazole Units in the Second Coordination Sphere

The control of the second coordination sphere in a coordination complex plays an important role in improving catalytic efficiency. Herein, we report a zinc porphyrin complex ZnPor8T with multiple flexible triazole units comprising the second coordination sphere, as an electrocatalyst for the highly selective electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to carbon monoxide (CO). This electrocatalyst converted CO₂ to CO with a Faradaic efficiency of 99 % and a current density of −6.2 mA cm⁻² at −2.4 V vs. Fc/Fc⁺ in N,N-dimethylformamide using water as the proton source. Structure-function relationship studies were carried out on ZnPor8T analogs containing different numbers of triazole units and distinct triazole geometries; these unveiled that the triazole units function cooperatively to stabilize the CO₂-catalyst adduct in order to facilitate intramolecular proton transfer. Our findings demonstrate that incorporating triazole units that function in a cooperative manner is a versatile strategy to enhance the activity of electrocatalytic CO₂ conversion.     

Direct Evidence of Local pH Change and the Role of Alkali Cation during CO2 Electroreduction in Aqueous Media

We report, for the first time, utilizing a rotating ring‐disc electrode (RRDE) assembly for detecting changes in the local pH during aqueous CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR). Using Au as a model catalyst where CO is the only product, we show that the CO oxidation peak shifts by ?86±2 mV/pH during CO₂RR, which can be used to directly quantify the change in the local pH near the catalyst surface during electrolysis. We then applied this methodology to investigate the role of cations in affecting the local pH during CO₂RR and find that during CO₂RR to CO on Au in an MHCO₃ buffer (where M is an alkali metal), the experimentally measured local basicity decreased in the order Li⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ > Cs⁺, which agreed with an earlier theoretical prediction by Singh et al. Our results also reveal that the formation of CO is independent of the cation. In summary, RRDE is a versatile tool for detecting local pH change over a diverse range of CO₂RR catalysts. Additionally, using the product itself (i.e. CO) as the local pH probe allows us to investigate CO₂RR without the interference of additional probe molecules introduced to the system. Most importantly, considering that most CO₂RR products have pH‐dependent oxidation, RRDE can be a powerful tool for determining the local pH and correlating the local pH to reaction selectivity.     

Effect of Cs+ ions on the electrochemical nanogravimetric response of platinum electrode in acid media

Platinum electrodes have been investigated in sulfuric acid solutions in the presence and absence of Cs⁺ ions by electrochemical quartz crystal nanobalance (EQCN). An unusual potential dependence of the quartz crystal frequency response has been observed in the presence of Cs⁺ ions. The frequency decrease is more pronounced in the region of the underpotential deposition of hydrogen, and the frequency decrease in the double layer region diminishes as the concentration ratio of Cs⁺ and H⁺ ions increases. After immersion in Cs₂SO₄ solutions the frequency change was higher than that expected taking into account the density and viscosity. The effects observed can be explained by the specific adsorption of Cs⁺ ions on the Pt surface, which competes with the hydrogen adsorption. At more positive potentials than the potential of zero charge (pzc) a desorption of the Cs⁺ ions starts. In this potential region both Cs⁺ and HSO₄^? ions are adsorbed at the platinum surface. In the double layer region the mass change caused by the desorption of Cs⁺ ions and the starting adsorption of sulfate ions compensates each other.     

Alkali metal cation doping of metal-organic framework for enhancing carbon dioxide adsorption capacity

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted much attention as adsorbents for the separation of CO₂ from flue gas or natural gas. Here, a typical metal-organic framework HKUST-1(also named Cu-BTC or MOF-199) was chemically reduced by doping it with alkali metals (Li, Na and K) and they were further used to investigate their CO₂ adsorption capacities. The structural information, surface chemistry and thermal behavior of the prepared adsorbent samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm analysis. The results showed that the CO₂ storage capacity of HKUST-1 doped with moderate quantities of Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺, individually, was greater than that of unmodified HKUST-1. The highest CO₂ adsorption uptake of 8.64 mmol/g was obtained with 1K-HKUST-1, and it was ca. 11% increase in adsorption capacity at 298 K and 18 bar as compared with HKUST-1. Moreover, adsorption tests showed that HKUST-1 and 1K-HKUST-1 displayed much higher adsorption capacities of CO₂ than those of N₂. Finally, the adsorption/desorption cycle experiment revealed that the adsorption performance of 1K-HKUST-1 was fairly stable, without obvious deterioration in the adsorption capacity of CO₂ after 10 cycles.