Antimicrobial Properties of Zeolite-X and Zeolite-A Ion-Exchanged with Silver,Copper, and Zinc Against a Broad Range of Microorganisms

Zeolites are nanoporous alumina silicates composed of silicon, aluminum, and oxygen in a framework with cations, water within pores. Their cation contents can be exchanged with monovalent or divalent ions. In the present study, the antimicrobial (antibacterial, anticandidal, and antifungal) properties of zeolite type X and A, with different Al/Si ratio, ion exchanged with Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cu²⁺ ions were investigated individually. The study presents the synthesis and manufacture of four different zeolite types characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The ion loading capacity of the zeolites was examined and compared with the antimicrobial characteristics against a broad range of microorganisms including bacteria, yeast, and mold. It was observed that Ag⁺ ion-loaded zeolites exhibited more antibacterial activity with respect to other metal ion-embedded zeolite samples. The results clearly support that various synthetic zeolites can be ion exchanged with Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cu²⁺ ions to acquire antimicrobial properties or ion-releasing characteristics to provide prolonged or stronger activity. The current study suggested that zeolite formulations could be combined with various materials used in manufacturing medical devices, surfaces, textiles, or household items where antimicrobial properties are required.     

Photophysical Properties of Metal Ion Functionalized NaY Zeolite

A series of luminescent ion exchanged zeolite are synthesized by introducing various ions into NaY zeolite. Monometal ion (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Ce³⁺, Y³⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺) exchanged zeolite, rare‐earth ion (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Ce³⁺) exchanged zeolite modified with Y³⁺ and rare‐earth ion (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Ce³⁺) exchanged zeolite modified with Zn²⁺ are discussed here. The resulting materials are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrum radiometer (FTIR), XRD, scanning electronic microscope (SEM), PLE, PL and luminescence lifetime measurements. The photoluminescence spectrum of NaY indicates that emission band of host matrix exhibits a blueshift of about 70 nm after monometal ion exchange process. The results show that transition metal ion exchanged zeolites possess a similar emission band due to dominant host luminescence. A variety of luminescence phenomenon of rare‐earth ion broadens the application of zeolite as a luminescent host. The Eu³⁺ ion exchanged zeolite shows white light luminescence with a great application value and Ce³⁺ exchanged zeolite steadily exhibits its characteristic luminescence in ultraviolet region no matter in monometal ion exchanged zeolite or bimetal ions exchanged zeolite.     

Zeolite-Polymer Composite Materials as Water Scavenger

The influence of the charge compensating cation nature (Na⁺, Mg²⁺) on the water adsorption properties of LTA-type zeolites used as filler in composite materials (zeolite/polymers) was investigated. Large scale cation exchanges were performed on zeolite powder at 80 °C for 2 h using 1 M magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) aqueous solutions. XRF, ICP, and EDX analyses indicate a successful cationic exchange process without the modification of the zeolite structure as shown by XRD and solid-state NMR analyses. Composite materials (granulates and molded parts) were manufactured using to extrusion and injection processes. In the case of MgA zeolite, nitrogen adsorption–desorption experiments allowed us to measure a microporous volume, unlike NaA zeolite, which is non-porous to nitrogen probe molecule. SEM and EDX analyses highlighted the homogeneous distribution of zeolite crystals into the polymer matrix. Water adsorption capacities confirmed that the trends observed in the zeolite powder samples are preserved after dragging zeolites into composite formulations. Granulates and molded parts composite samples containing the magnesium exchanged zeolite showed an increase of their water adsorption capacity up to +27% in comparison to composite samples containing the non-exchanged zeolite. The MgA composite is more promising for water decontamination applications due to its higher water adsorption properties than the NaA composite.     

Molecular and dissociative adsorption of H2O on zeolite Zn/ZSM-5 studied by diffuse-reflectance IR spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations

Interest in water adsorption on cation-substituted zeolites is due to the possibility of the M ⁿ⁺ (H₂O) + [Si-O-Al]^?1 → MOH^{(n ? 1)+} + Si-O(H)-Al (M = metal, n = 1–3) reaction taking place. As a result of this reaction, the cation-substituted zeolite can exhibit Brønsted acid activity. The molecular adsorption of water on Zn/ZSM-5 zeolite at room temperature and the subsequent heterolytic dissociation of adsorbed water under heating have been investigated by diffuse-reflectance IR spectroscopy. For theoretical simulation of these processes, three different fragments of the ZSM-5 lattice corresponding to possible variants of the structure of the ionic site of the substituting cation have been examined. Calculations on the molecular and dissociative adsorption of water molecules on substituting Zn²⁺ cations have been performed by the DFT method. Two pathways of the dissociation of adsorbed H₂O molecules-endothermic and exothermic ones-have been discovered, and it has been demonstrated that the spatial separation of two lattice Al ions at the Zn²⁺ cation site significantly affects the adsorption energy.     

Adsorptive removal of halo-olefinic impurities from 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane over ion-exchanged Y zeolites

Various metal cations exchanged Y zeolites were prepared via the exchange of NaY zeolite with aqueous solutions containing K⁺, Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, La³⁺ and Ce³⁺ cations, respectively. The influence of the extra-framework cations nature of these ion-exchanged Y zeolites on their adsorption performance for a low content of halo-olefinic impurities, mainly including 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene (HCFC-1233zd), 1-chloro-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene (HFC-1224zb) and 2-chloro-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene (HFC-1224xe), in the 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa) product after distillation was investigated. HCFC-1233zd impurity can be substantially removed from HFC-245fa product feed via the adsorption over multivalent metal cations and Cu⁺ cation exchanged Y zeolites, which is ascribed to the formation of π-adsorption complexes between HCFC-1233zd and zeolites, rather than over alkaline metal cations exchanged Y zeolites. Among multivalent metal cations exchanged Y zeolites, CeY has the highest adsorption capacity for HCFC-1233zd and best regeneration performance, due to its lowest density of strong Brønsted and weak Lewis acid sites as well as high framework stability during the regeneration. Regardless of the cations introduced in Y zeolite used as an adsorbent, HCFC-1224zb and HCFC-1224xe impurities are not obviously removed from HFC-245fa product feed via the adsorption, maybe due to more halogen atoms linked with the double bond in them comparing with HCFC-1233zd.     

Fourier transform far-infrared studies on transition metal ion-exchanged zeolites A

FT-FIR spectra of xeolites A containing Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions were recorded after heat treatment at 573 K in vacuo. The bands were assigned to the vibrations of the cations with respect to the zeolite framework. From obeying the Butler expression it can be inferred that transition metal ions preferably occupy SI sites in zeolite A. Upon adsorption of rare gas and diatomics the bands of the cation vibration diminish and are unspecifically shifted up- and downscale.     

Highly active and reusable heterogeneous catalysts for acylation of anisole

In the present study, non-conventional solid acid catalysts such as NaY, metal ion exchanged zeolite NaY (Zn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ce³⁺, La³⁺ and Nd³⁺), H-mordenite, H-β and HZSM-5 were used in order to overcome the disadvantages of conventional Friedel-Crafts catalysts for the acylation of anisole with acetic anhydride. Among the various zeolites studied, the HY zeolite shows an intermediate activity. Zeolite containing transition metal ions (Zn²⁺ and Fe³⁺) are less active and zeolite NaY is nearly inactive. The catalysts exhibit the activity in the order H-β>transition metal ions (Zn²⁺ and Fe³⁺)>HY>NaY zeolite. The highest catalytic activity of H-β could be due to its larger pore size. The type of acidity and the acid strength in zeolite Y were determined by FTIR and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) studies on the pyridine adsorbed catalysts. The correlation of catalytic activity with acidity reveals that Brönsted acid sites in zeolite promote the acylation of anisole.     

Fully Copper‐Exchanged High‐Silica LTA Zeolites as Unrivaled Hydrothermally Stable NH3‐SCR Catalysts

Diesel engine technology is still the most effective solution to meet tighter CO₂ regulations in the mobility and transport sector. In implementation of fuel‐efficient diesel engines, the poor thermal durability of lean nitrogen oxides (NO_x ) aftertreatment systems remains as one major technical hurdle. Divalent copper ions when fully exchanged into high‐silica LTA zeolites are demonstrated to exhibit excellent activity maintenance for NO_x reduction with NH₃ under vehicle simulated conditions even after hydrothermal aging at 900 °C, a critical temperature that the current commercial Cu‐SSZ‐13 catalyst cannot overcome owing to thermal deactivation. Detailed structural characterizations confirm the presence of Cu²⁺ ions only at the center of single 6‐rings that act not only as a catalytically active center, but also as a dealumination suppressor. The overall results render the copper‐exchanged LTA zeolite attractive as a viable substitute for Cu‐SSZ‐13.     

Green Synthesis of Magnetic Zeolite LTA using NaOH Activated Fly Ash

The magnetic zeolite LTA was successfully synthesized using NaOH activated fly ash. The properties of the magnetic zeolite LTA were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, BET, and VSM. We can be concluded that the synthesized composite consists of zeolite LTA and magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle. The nitrogen adsorption technique confirmed that the magnetic zeolite LTA exhibits a specifific surface area of 10.0183 m² · g^–1, which is much larger than that of the fly ash. VSM result confirms that the magnetization saturation value of the magnetic zeolite LTA is 10.06 emu · g^–1. Therefore, the magnetic zeolite LTA could be easily separated from the liquid phase using a magnet.     

Formation of M2+(O2)(C3H8) species in alkaline-earth-exchanged Y zeolite during propane selective oxidation

The adsorption of oxygen and d2-propane (CH3CD2CH3) on a series of alkaline-earth-exchanged Y zeolite at room temperature was studied with in situ infrared spectroscopy. Surprisingly at room temperature, oxygen adsorption led to the formation of supercage M2+(O2) species. Further, at low propane coverage, propane was found to adsorb linearly on Mg2+ cations, but a ring-adsorption structure was observed for propane adsorbing on Ca2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+ cations. It is demonstrated that O2 and propane can simultaneously attach to one active center (M2+) to form a M2+(O2)(C3H8) species, which is proposed to be the precursor in thermal propane selective oxidation. Selectivity to acetone in the propane oxidation reaction decreases with increasing temperature and cation size due to the formation of 2-propanol and carboxylate ions. An extended reaction scheme for the selective oxidation of propane over alkaline earth exchanged Y zeolites is proposed.     

CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> adsorption and dehydration behavior of LiNaX,KNaX, CaNaX and CeNaX zeolites

In this study, NaX synthetic zeolite was modified by following the conventional cation exchange method at 70°C. 82, 81, 79 and 48% of sodium were exchanged with Li⁺, K⁺, Ca2⁺ and Ce3⁺, respectively. Thermal analysis data obtained by TG/DSC was used to evaluate the dehydration behavior of the zeolites. The strongest interaction with water and the highest dehydration enthalpy (ΔH) value were found for Li-exchanged form and compared with the other forms. The temperature required for complete dehydration increased with decreasing cation size (cation size: K⁺>Ce³⁺>Ca2⁺>Na⁺>Li⁺). CO₂ adsorption at 5 and 25°C was also studied and the virial model equation was used to analyze the experimental data to calculate the Henry’s law constant, K _o and isosteric heat of adsorption at zero loading Q _st. K _o values decreased with increasing temperature and the highest Qst was obtained for K rich zeolite. It was observed that both dehydration and CO₂ adsorption properties are related to cation introduced into zeolite structure.     

Adsorption de CO2 par des zeolithes X echangees par des cations bivalents

Adsorption of carbon dioxide by X zeolites exchanged with bivalent cations. The adsorption of carbon dioxide by X zeolites exchanged by Mg²⁺, Sr²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ cations was studied by thermogravimetry. The corresponding isosteric heats of adsorption decrease with the filling of pore volume, except for Cu(63)X. This evolution of the heat indicates a specific interaction between cations present within supercages and CO₂ molecules. Several models have been used in order to describe the experimental isotherms. The best fit of sorption isotherm data was obtained with the Sips model.     

Cr/NaZSM-5催化剂上CO2氧化丙烷脱氢反应

以亚微米级NaZSM-5为载体合成了一系列负载型Cr催化剂, 采用氮气吸附、 XRD、 UV-Vis和H2-TPR对Cr/NaZSM-5催化剂的结构和织构性质进行了表征, 并评价了催化剂在CO2气氛下的丙烷脱氢性能. 硅铝摩尔比为60, Cr质量分数为3%的催化剂具有最高的反应活性, 于550 ℃反应10 min和8 h后的丙烷转化率分别为48.3%和30.1%, 丙烯选择性则分别为86.0%和91.8%. 催化剂中的Cr6+含量和反应初活性具有良好的对应关系, 表明高Cr6+含量对催化剂表现出高的丙烷脱氢活性是至关重要的. CO2气氛下的丙烯产率明显比氮气气氛下的高, 这是由于CO2气氛下催化剂表面有较多量的Cr6+, 并且CO2可通过逆水煤气变换反应除去脱氢反应生成的氢.     

Theoretical study of the adsorption of ethylene on alkali‐exchanged zeolites

The structures of alkali‐exchanged faujasite (X–FAU, X = Li⁺ or Na⁺ ion) and ZSM‐5 (Li–ZSM‐5) zeolites and their interactions with ethylene have been investigated by means of quantum cluster and embedded cluster approaches at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d, p) level of theory. Inclusion of the Madelung potential from the zeolite framework has a significant effect on the structure and interaction energies of the adsorption complexes and leads to differentiation of different types of zeolites (ZSM‐5 and FAU) that cannot be drawn from a typical quantum cluster model, H₃SiO(X)Al(OH)₂OSiH₃. The Li–ZSM‐5 zeolite is predicted to have a higher Lewis acidity and thus higher ethylene adsorption energy than the Li–FAU zeolites (16.4 vs. 14.4 kcal/mol), in good agreement with the known acidity trend of these two zeolites. On the other hand, the cluster models give virtually the same adsorption energies for both zeolite complexes (8.9 vs. 9.1 kcal/mol). For the larger cation‐exchanged Na–FAU complex, the adsorption energy (11.6 kcal/mol) is predicted to be lower than that of Li–FAU zeolites, which compares well with the experimental estimate of about 9.6 kcal/mol for ethylene adsorption on a less acidic Na–X zeolite. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 94: 333–340, 2003     

Interplay of bonding and geometry of the adsorption complexes of light alkanes within cationic faujasites. Combined spectroscopic and computational study

A FT-IR spectroscopic study of methane, ethane, and propane adsorption on magnesium and calcium forms of zeolite Y reveals different vibrational properties of the adsorbed molecules depending on the exchanged cation. This is attributed to different adsorption conformations of the hydrocarbons. Two-fold eta(2) coordination of light alkanes is realized for MgY, whereas in case of CaY zeolite quite different adsorption modes are found, involving more C-H bonds in the interaction with the cation. The topological analysis of the electron density distribution function of the adsorption complexes shows that when a hydrocarbon coordinates to the exchanged Mg(2+) ions, van der Waals bonds between H atoms of the alkane and basic zeolitic oxygens significantly contribute to the overall adsorption energy, whereas in case of CaY zeolite such interactions play only an indirect role. It is found that, due to the much smaller ionic radius of the Mg(2+) ion as compared to that of Ca(2+), the former ions are significantly shielded with the surrounding oxygens of the zeolitic cation site. This results in a small electrostatic contribution to the stabilization of the adsorbed molecules. In contrast, for CaY zeolite the stabilization of alkanes in the electrostatic field of the partially shielded Ca(2+) cation significantly contributes to the adsorption energy. This is in agreement with the experimentally observed lower overall absorption of C-H stretching vibrations of alkanes loaded to MgY as compared to those for CaY zeolite. The preferred conformation of the adsorbed alkanes is controlled by the bonding within the adsorption complexes that, in turn, strongly depends on the size and location of the cations in the zeolite cavity.     

Metal cation-induced multifluorescence of azacrown-substituted (tetrafluorophenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine

ortho-Azacrown-substituted (tetrafluorophenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (2) in an acetonitrile solution emits 380 nm light in the presence of Li⁺ cation and emits 460 nm light in the presence of Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺ or H⁺ cation. In contrast, para-azacrown-substituted analogue (1) emits three different fluorescent lights responding to Li⁺, Zn²⁺ or H⁺ cation, respectively; 388 nm light to Li⁺ cation, 433 nm light to Zn²⁺ cation or 469 nm light to H⁺ cation.     

The removal of heavy metal cations by natural zeolites

In this study, the adsorption behavior of natural (clinoptilolite) zeolites with respect to Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Mn²⁺ has been studied in order to consider its application to purity metal finishing wastewaters. The batch method has been employed, using metal concentrations in solution ranging from 100 to 400 mg/l. The percentage adsorption and distribution coefficients (K_d) were determined for the adsorption system as a function of sorbate concentration. In the ion exchange evaluation part of the study, it is determined that in every concentration range, adsorption ratios of clinoptilolite metal cations match to Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Kaganer–Radushkevich (DKR) adsorption isotherm data, adding to that every cation exchange capacity metals has been calculated. It was found that the adsorption phenomena depend on charge density and hydrated ion diameter. According to the equilibrium studies, the selectivity sequence can be given as Co²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Mn²⁺. These results show that natural zeolites hold great potential to remove cationic heavy metal species from industrial wastewater.     

C−C Bond Formation in Syngas Conversion over Zinc Sites Grafted on ZSM‐5 Zeolite

Despite significant progress achieved in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) technology, control of product selectivity remains a challenge in syngas conversion. Herein, we demonstrate that Zn²⁺‐ion exchanged ZSM‐5 zeolite steers syngas conversion selectively to ethane with its selectivity reaching as high as 86 % among hydrocarbons (excluding CO₂) at 20 % CO conversion. NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and X‐ray fluorescence indicate that this is likely attributed to the highly dispersed Zn sites grafted on ZSM‐5. Quasi‐in‐situ solid‐state NMR, obtained by quenching the reaction in liquid N₂, detects C₂ species such as acetyl (‐COCH₃) bonding with an oxygen, ethyl (‐CH₂CH₃) bonding with a Zn site, and epoxyethane molecules adsorbing on a Zn site and a Brønsted acid site of the catalyst, respectively. These species could provide insight into C?C bond formation during ethane formation. Interestingly, this selective reaction pathway toward ethane appears to be general because a series of other Zn²⁺‐ion exchanged aluminosilicate zeolites with different topologies (for example, SSZ‐13, MCM‐22, and ZSM‐12) all give ethane predominantly. By contrast, a physical mixture of ZnO‐ZSM‐5 favors formation of hydrocarbons beyond C₃₊. These results provide an important guide for tuning the product selectivity in syngas conversion.     

C−C Bond Formation in Syngas Conversion over Zinc Sites Grafted on ZSM-5 Zeolite

Despite significant progress achieved in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) technology, control of product selectivity remains a challenge in syngas conversion. Herein, we demonstrate that Zn²⁺-ion exchanged ZSM-5 zeolite steers syngas conversion selectively to ethane with its selectivity reaching as high as 86 % among hydrocarbons (excluding CO₂) at 20 % CO conversion. NMR spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence indicate that this is likely attributed to the highly dispersed Zn sites grafted on ZSM-5. Quasi-in-situ solid-state NMR, obtained by quenching the reaction in liquid N₂, detects C₂ species such as acetyl (-COCH₃) bonding with an oxygen, ethyl (-CH₂CH₃) bonding with a Zn site, and epoxyethane molecules adsorbing on a Zn site and a Brønsted acid site of the catalyst, respectively. These species could provide insight into C−C bond formation during ethane formation. Interestingly, this selective reaction pathway toward ethane appears to be general because a series of other Zn²⁺-ion exchanged aluminosilicate zeolites with different topologies (for example, SSZ-13, MCM-22, and ZSM-12) all give ethane predominantly. By contrast, a physical mixture of ZnO-ZSM-5 favors formation of hydrocarbons beyond C₃₊. These results provide an important guide for tuning the product selectivity in syngas conversion.     

Macrocyclic pyridone pentamer‐modified polystyrene nanofiber for selective metal ion removal from aqueous solution

Macrocyclic pyridone pentamer‐functionalized nanofiber was fabricated through electrospinning for selective heavy metal cation removal from aqueous solution. Parameters influencing the adsorption process, including contact time, initial metal cation concentration, and solution pH, were evaluated, and the optimized adsorption condition was figured out accordingly. The adsorption study demonstrated that the process followed the pseudosecond‐order kinetic models and Langmuir isothermal model. The selectivity of the nanofiber toward metal cations was studied, and it was found that it showed a high adsorption affinity toward Pb²⁺ over other metal cations such as Cu²⁺, Ca²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ni²⁺. The nanofiber could be easily regenerated by deadsorption with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid solution. The above results indicate the potential application of the nanofiber in the metal cation separation field.