Application of D‐optimal experimental design in nano‐sized ZSM‐5 synthesis for obtaining higher crystallinity

D‐optimal experimental design with three levels of SiO₂/Al₂O₃, template/SiO₂, H₂O/SiO₂, SiO₂/Na₂O and TPABr/TPAOH ratio parameters was used to optimize the experimental parameters by the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The effects of above mentioned ratios in the initial synthetic mixture on the crystallinity of the ZSM‐5 zeolite were studied. The synthesized samples were characterized by XRD, FE‐SEM, and TEM analysis. Fischer test results showed that SiO₂/Al₂O₃ and H₂O/SiO₂ molar ratios are the most and least effective parameters, respectively, in the range studied. The most important two‐way interaction variable was that of template/SiO₂ and Na₂O/SiO₂ molar ratios. The optimum composition of the gel compound to achieve relative maximum crystallinity is SiO₂/Al₂O₃ = 99.96, template/SiO₂ = 0.16, H₂O/SiO₂ = 34.68, Na₂O/SiO₂ = 0.02 and TPABr/TPAOH = 1.44.     

Crystallization field and rate study for the formation of single phase sodium‐potassium and potassium clinoptilolite

Reproducible synthesis of clinoptilolite as the single crystalline phase was achieved in the narrow crystallization field at or around the nominal batch composition of 2.1(Na₂O+K₂O):Al₂O₃:10SiO₂:110H₂O at 140 °C. Clinoptilolites of high purity were crystallized in the pure sodium or mixed sodium‐potassium cation systems. Partial replacement of hydroxyl anions with the salts of carbonates or chlorides also yielded clinoptilolite as the single crystalline phase although at lower crystallization rates. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystallization of silicalite‐1 from clear synthesis solutions: Effect of template concentration on crystallization rate and crystal size

Synthesis of silicalite‐1 powders and membranes from initially clear solutions with different tetrapropylammonium hydroxide or bromide concentrations was studied. While tetrapropylammonium bromide acts only as template, tetrapropylammonium hydroxide provides both the template and hydroxyl ions to the synthesis medium. The effects of template and hydroxyl ion concentration on the product yield, crystallization rate and crystal size were investigated. Pure and highly crystalline silicalite‐1 was obtained with all compositions. The nucleation time decreases from 100 h to 20 h and the crystal size decreases from 3.5 μm to 0.35 μm as the template amount x is increased from 5 to 30 moles at a batch composition of 80SiO₂.xTPAOH.1500H₂O at 95 °C. Yield of silicalite‐1 passes through a maximum at intermediate TPA concentration. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The effect of Si/Al ratio of ZSM‐5 zeolite on its morphology,acidity and crystal size

ZSM‐5 zeolite crystal with different Si/Al molar ratios in the range of 10‐50 was synthesized using sodium silicate, aluminum sulfate and tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPA‐Br) as the organic template. The produced samples were characterized using XRD, FT‐IR, SEM and EDX techniques. All synthesized samples were found to be ZSM‐5 zeolite as confirmed by XRD and supported by FT‐IR. SEM results showed that ZSM‐5 synthesized with different Si/Al molar ratios had different morphologies and particle sizes. It was found that the average ZSM‐5 crystal size increased as Si/Al molar ratio increased. Thermogravimetric‐difference thermal analysis (TG‐DTA) technique was also used to measure the amount of template occluded inside the crystal pore. The synthesized Na‐ZSM‐5 was transformed into its acidic form, i.e., H‐ZSM‐5 using ion exchange method with ammonium nitrate solution. The H‐ZSM‐5 acidity was determined by NH₃‐TPD. These results showed that different Si/Al molar ratios have effect on surface acidity of samples. The surface areas of the H‐ZSM‐5 were measured using BET method and the results showed that, decrease in Si/Al ratio, decreased the surface area. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Structural studies of crystalline oligosaccharides VI: Crystal structure and conformation of benzyl‐4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐3‐O‐benzoyl‐β‐D‐galactoside

Monsaccharides are the building blocks of polysaccharides and hence are the simplest sugar molecules to study the conformation and molecular structures of sugars. Benzyl‐4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐3‐O‐benzoyl‐β‐D‐galactoside is a key intermediate in the synthesis of polysaccharides. Crystal structural investigation of the title compound was undertaken to establish their chemical structure as well as to study their solid state conformation. Crystals of the title compound, obtained from water/methanol, are orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁, with cell dimensions a=11.290 (4), b=9.941 (1), c= 21.442(2)Å, V= 2406ų, Z=4, D_obs= 1.42 gm/cm³, D_calc=1.423 g/cm³, 2886 reflections were collected on a CAD‐4 diffractometer. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to a final reliability index of 4.7%. The galactoside sugar has the chair conformation with C2' and C5' deviating from the mean plane of the other atoms of the sugar. The 4,6‐O‐benzylidene ring also has a chair conformation with the benzoyl group proximal to O6'. The crystal structure is stabilized by O‐H…O hydrogen bonds involving O2' as donor and three C‐H…O hydrogen bond interactions. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis of zeolite ZSM‐5: Effect of emulsifiers

Zeolite ZSM‐5 has been synthesized in presence of various emulsifiers. Influence of types and proportions of cationic, anionic and non‐ionic emulsifier has been studied. Cationic emulsifier, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide resulted in an amorphous phase, whereas anionic emuisifier, sodium lauryl sulphate afforded crystalline phase, identified as magadiite. Non‐ionic emulsifiers, 1,2,3‐benzotriazole and sorbital mono‐stearate led to the formation of pure crystalline ZSM‐5 phase. Emulsifier concentration was found to affect the process of crystallization, and the crystal size and morphology of ZSM‐5. Emulsifier necessitated higher crystallization temperature and/or longer hydrothermal period. ZSM‐5 crystallization was observed to proceed through magadiite phase formation. In case of benzotriazole, unusual stacked square platelet type morphology and with sorbital monostearate, very small crystals were observed.     

Synthesis of nanosized ZSM‐5 using different alumina sources

Alumina sources can influence different aspects of ZSM‐5 crystallization and it leads to change in the properties of the final product. The crystallinity of nanosized ZSM‐5 zeolite from precursors mixtures containing different alumina sources, e.g. sodium aluminate, aluminum sulphate, aluminum hydroxide and alumina has been studied. The produced samples were investigated using XRD, SEM, FT‐ IR and BET surface area. The product obtained by sodium aluminate and aluminum sulphate was ZSM‐5 phase. Whereas, the product obtained by aluminum hydroxide and alumina was the albit phase. As‐synthesized ZSM‐5 was prepared by sodium aluminate, as alumina source was the highest crystallinity. It was found that the average crystallite size increased in the following order; alumina <aluminum hydroxide < aluminum sulphate < sodium aluminate. The surface area increased in the following order; aluminum sulphate < sodium aluminate < aluminum hydroxide < alumina due to increasing in crystallinity percentage of ZSM‐5. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Phase‐manipulable synthesis of Cu‐based nanomaterials using ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazole tetrafluoroborate

Using the ionic liquid (IL), 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazole tetrafluoroborate, and the precursor Cu₇Cl₄(OH)₁₀·H₂O, series of phase‐manipulable Cu‐based nanomaterials were synthesized by hydrothermal and microwave assisted routes, respectively. The structural characters of the as‐prepared CuO, CuO/Cu₂O composites and pure Cu nanoparticles were investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM and HRTEM, and their surface photovoltaic properties were studied by surface photovoltage spectra. Via hydrothermal route Cu²⁺ ions were found to be reduced gradually into Cu⁺ and subsequently Cu⁰ with increasing the IL, and various phase ratio of CuO, Cu₂O and Cu composite nanosheets and pure Cu nanoparticles were obtained. This implies that the IL could function as both a reductant in the oxygen‐starved condition and a template for the nanosheet products. The ¹H‐NMR result of the IL supports it being a reductant. In microwave assisted route, however, only monoclinic single crystalline CuO nanosheets were obtained, which indicates the IL being a template only in oxygen‐rich condition. Therefore, the crystal phase, composition and morphology of the Cu‐based products could be controlled by simply adjusting the quantity of the IL and oxygen in solution routes. The molecular structure of the IL after oxidation reactions was investigated by ¹H‐NMR and a possible reaction mechanism was proposed. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal structure of 3‐hydroxy methyl 4,6‐dimethoxy‐9‐phenylsulfonyl‐carbazole

The crystal structure of 3‐Hydroxy methyl 4,6‐dimethoxy‐9‐phenylsulfonyl‐carbazole. (C₂₁H₁₉NO₅S) has been determined [CCDC 194425]. The compound crystallizes from methanol in the monoclinic system, space group I2/c, with unit cell parameters: a = 20.498(2), b = 9.258(2), c = 21.866(3)Å, β = 116.450(10)°, Z = 8, V = 3715.2(10)ų. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined by full‐matrix least squares to a final R‐value of 0.050 with 3508 unique reflections. The planar carbazole ring fragment is inclined at an angle of 79.9(1)° to the phenylsulfonyl group. The sum of the angle about N is 351.6(2)°. The atoms linked to the central hexavalent S atom are arranged in a tetrahedral configuration with the larger deviations in the O‐SO angles [O1‐S‐O2 = 119.7(2)°] and the O1‐S‐N and O2‐S‐N angles [106.1(2) and 106.9(1)°, respectively].     

Real Structure of LiB3O5 (LBO) Crystals Grown in Li2O‐B2O3‐MoO3 System

The liquidus surface structure and field of LiB₃O₅ (LBO) primary crystallization have been revealed in Li₂O‐B₂O₃ ‐MoO₃ ternary system. The optimization of charge composition and growth conditions results in large volume optical quality LBO single crystals yielding. Crystallographic properties and real defect structure of grown LBO single crystals have been investigated by X‐ray powder diffraction method and X‐ray reflection topography. The volume of the crystals is partly free of any structural imperfections.     

Synthesis of radial‐like ZnO structure by hydrothermal method with ZnSO4·7H2O and Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O as zinc sources

Radial‐like ZnO structures were prepared using zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄·7H₂O) and zinc acetate [Zn(CH₃COO)₂·2H₂O] as zinc sources by a facile template‐free hydrothermal method in this paper. Structural and optical properties of radial‐like ZnO structures are characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), UV‐vis spectrophotometer and photoluminescence measurement (PL). It has been found that the distinct surface morphologies of radial‐like ZnO structures grown by different zinc sources. Slim radial‐like ZnO with a hexagonal wurtzite structure is grown by using ZnSO₄·7H₂O as zinc sources, whereas coarse radial‐like ZnO with zincite structure is achieved by zinc acetate. The UV‐vis absorption spectra of them both display an obvious and significant absorption in the ultraviolet region. The room temperature PL spectra of ZnO structures grown by two different zinc sources possess a common feature that consists of a strong ultraviolet (UV) peak and visible emission band.     

Crystal Structure of RbD2PO4.D2O: A new Hydrate Phase of KDP‐type Compounds

The mono‐hydrate phase as well as the water‐free RbD₂PO₄ (DRDP) is obtained by crystal growth from fully deuterated aqueous solution. Its crystal structure was determined by combined neutron and X‐ray single crystal diffraction. It consists of double layers of PO₄ tetrahedra with D₂O planes in between. The PO₄ groups are linked by fully ordered deuterium bonds O‐D‐O. RbD₂PO₄.D₂O dehydrates below 329(5)K and undergoes a phase transition to RbD₂PO₄ (DRDP).     

Synthesis of Submicron Silicalite‐1 Crystals from Clear Solutions

Discrete and monodisperse submicron crystals of silicalite‐1 with a mean size of 0.3 μ m were synthesized from clear crystallization solutions. The effects of silica content, alkalinity of batch and the nature of silica source on the product yield, crystal morphology and particle size distribution were investigated. The crystal shape was sphere‐like or hexagonal twinned disks when silicic acid was the silica source. Change of silica source to sodium silicate solution leads to the formation of rounded‐edged‐hexahedron crystals. Silica content of batch does not influence crystal morphology. Alkalinity of clear crystallization solution has a strong effect both on the particle size distribution and yield of product. Increase of alkalinity caused bimodal particle size distribution and decrease of yield.     

PbS microcrystals with a magic‐square‐like structure prepared by a simple hydrothermal method

PbS microcrystals with a magic‐square‐shaped structure were successfully fabricated via a simple hydrothermal route, employing (CH₃COO)₂Pb and Na₂S₂O₃ as the lead and sulfur source without the assistance of any surfactant or template. S₂O₃^2‐ ions acted not only a supplier of S^2‐ ions but also a coordinating reagent. The formation of the above morphology was the direct result of the coordination between thiosulfate ions and lead ions. Researches indicated that the different synthetic approach could influence the morphology of the final product. A possible formation mechanism was suggested. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystallization and structural studies of n‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐L‐tyrosine‐L‐glycine‐ethyl ester (Z‐Tyr‐Gly‐OEt)

It is axiomatic that efficient crystal production reflects upon the quality of structure. An empirical relation for mass proportions of two solvents in crystallization of Z‐Tyr‐Gly‐OEt shows a linear relationship. The dipeptide crystallizes in orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2_1, with cell parameters a = 5.0680(1) Å, b = 13.8650(1) Å and c = 28.2630(1) Å, Z = 4, D_calc= 1.339Mg/m³, μ=0.820mm^‐1, F₀₀₀=848, CuKα = 1.5418 Å. The structure was solved by direct methods and final R1 and wR2 are 0.444 and 0.1276, respectively. The structure analysis reveals the trans conformation of the peptide unit with ω = ‐178.2(5)°, implying only a slight deviation from planarity. The torsion angles at glycine [ϕ, ψ = ‐84.4(7)°, 179.9(5)°] are characteristic of left‐handed poly glycine II helices. A number of N‐H…O, O‐H…O and C‐H…O hydrogen bondings play a role in stabilizing the molecules within unit cell. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A simple surfactant‐free route for preparation of flower‐like crystals of CoS with hierarchitectures

Hierarchical cobalt sulfide crystals with flower‐like microstructures were successfully prepared by a simple one‐pot solvothermal route, employing CoCl₂·6H₂O as a cobalt precursor and KSCN as a sulfur source. The morphology of these microstructures can be easily controlled by adjusting the molar ratio of glycol to DMF in the solvent. The products were characterized by XRD and SEM. Possible formation mechanisms of CoS hierarchical microspheres are proposed. The influences of the nature of reaction media on the morphological evolution were also investigated and it was found that the ratio of DMF to glycol was of great importance for the formation of CoS morphology.     

Self‐assembly of a cadmium(II) diamondoid net with 2‐fold interpenetrating microporous structure

Assembly of 5‐methoxyisophthalic acid (H₂moip) with cadmium(II) ions in the presence of neutral ancillary 1,3‐bis(4‐pyridyl)propane (bpp) yields a new coordination polymer, [Cd(moip)(bpp)(H₂O)]_n·nH₂O ( 1 ). X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction determination reveals that complex 1 crystallizes in the space group C2/c of monoclinic crystal system: a = 14.545(2), b = 18.749(3), c = 17.359(3) Å, β = 105.480(2)º. Complex 1 is a 4‐connected 3D diamondoid topological framework with a 2‐fold interpenetration. Interestingly, the dense adamantine cages with inherent microporous structure are filled with free water molecules to further stabilize the coordination network.     

pH‐Controlled topologies of two Co(II) complexes based on 5‐Nitro‐1,2,3‐benzenetricarboxylic acid and 1,6‐Bis(1,2,4‐triazole‐1‐yl)hexane

Two new Co(II) coordination polymers, [Co(Hnbta)(bth)]_n ( 1 ) and {[Co₃(nbta)₂(bth)₃(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n ( 2 ), (H₃nbta = 5‐nitro‐1,2,3‐benzenetricarboxylic acid and bth = 1,6‐bis(1,2,4‐triazole‐1‐yl)hexane), have been synthesized under different pH values through hydrothermal reactions. Both complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. Complex 1 exhibits a 3D polythreaded network based on 4‐connected sql 2D layer. Complex 2 has a (4,4,5)‐connected trinodal 3D pillar‐layered network with a (4²·6⁴)₂(4²·6⁷·8)₂(6⁴·8²) topology. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that complexes 1 and 2 show weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent Co(II) ions.     

Phase‐selective crystallization of nickel phosphate VSB‐5 with (2‐hydroxyethyl) trimethylammonium hydroxide as template

Several nickel phosphate molecular sieves were synthesized by conventional heating (CH) and microwave assisted hydrothermal (MAH). Nickel phosphate VSB‐5 (Versailles Santa Barbara‐5) was synthesized with conventional oven for 72 h or with microwave for 1 h and followed by conventional oven for 48 h in the presence of (2‐hydroxyethyl) trimethylammonium hydroxide as template. The phase transformation is observed by variation of CH time for the synthesis of nickel phosphate molecular sieves. At CH time of 24 h, the VSB‐5 crystal together α‐Ni₂P₂O₇, Ni₂P₄O₁₂ and unknown phases were produced but the pure VSB‐5 crystal was obtained in the CH time of 48 h or more. At high content of nickel, a mixture of α‐Ni₂P₂O₇, Ni₂P₄O₁₂ phases and small amount of VSB‐5 crystal, was achieved but pure VSB‐5 crystal was obtained in the lower level of nickel and other phases are vanished. An efficient ultrasonic‐assisted aging was found for the synthesis of nickel phosphate molecular sieve, in which by ultrasonic mixing of 0.5 h followed microwave of 1 h, the CH time is significantly reduced from 48 to 24 h. The morphology of nickel phosphate crystals is highly influenced in the presence of ethylene glycol as co‐solvent. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Silicon nanowire growth on poly‐silicon‐on‐quartz substrates formed by aluminum‐induced crystallization

The vertical growth of Si nanowires on non‐monocrystalline substrates is of significant interest for photovoltaics and other energy harvesting applications. In this paper, we present results on using poly‐Si layers formed by aluminum‐induced crystallization (AIC) on fused quartz wafers as an alternative substrate for the vapor‐liquid‐solid (VLS) growth of vertical Si nanowires. Oxidation of the Al surface to Al₂O₃ before the a‐Si deposition was shown to be a key requirement in the formation of the poly‐Si template since it promotes the crystallization of the a‐Si into Si(111) which is required for vertical silicon nanowire growth. The effect of Al deposition technique (DC sputtering versus thermal evaporation) on a‐Si crystallization and Si nanowire growth was investigated. The use of Al thermal evaporation yielded AIC poly‐Si layers with the highest fraction of 〈111〉 grains as measured by orientation imaging microscopy (OIM) which enabled the growth of vertical Si nanowires. Cross‐sectional transmission electron microscopy analysis confirmed that the 〈111〉 Si nanowires grew epitaxially off of {111}poly‐Si grains in the AIC layer. This study demonstrates the potential of using AIC poly‐Si as a template layer for the vertical growth of silicon nanowires on amorphous substrates.