Nondestructive identification of colloidal molecular sieves stabilized in water

The encapsulation of small quaternary ammonium ions in zeolite frameworks could be used as a base for investigation of the crystallization process of colloidal (nanosized) molecular sieves stabilized in water with Raman and (13)C NMR spectroscopic methods. The organic-framework interactions in colloidal microporous materials with LTA, FAU, BEA, and MFI topology have been considered; the results show that the crystallinity of nanosized particles with monomodal particle size distribution stabilized in water can be examined using the vibrational and magnetic resonance spectral features of the organic template molecules occluded in the specific pores and cages in the zeolite framework. The molecular packing effect and restricted mobility due to specific organic/framework interactions result in shifts and substantial broadening of the (13)C NMR signals, as well as in changes of the positions and the relative intensities of the Raman peaks. The spectroscopic methods are very efficient for analyzing the crystalline structures of nanosized molecular sieves stabilized in aqueous suspensions due to no restrictions related to the particle size.     

Synthesis of Colloidal Suspensions of Zeolite ZSM-2

Discrete colloidal particles of zeolite ZSM-2 with crystal sizes less than 100 nm, in the form of aqueous suspensions, have been synthesized in tetramethylammonium (TMA)-aluminosilicate solutions in the presence of either lithium or a combination of lithium and sodium hydroxide. The well-crystallized ZSM-2 has a specific surface area of 781 m²/g after purification and removal of the organic base by calcination. Synthesis times (t) are as short as 3 < t < 12 h and in certain cases, less than 3 h, less than those previously reported in the literature. Prolonged hydrothermal treatment of sols in the presence of sodium cations (>12 h) results in the phase transformation of ZSM-2 to the nitrogeneous edingtonite zeolite (Li,Na)-E. The synthesis of nitrogeneous (Li,Na)-E is also favored by a high TMA content in conjunction with sodium, whereas synthesis of zeolite N-A is favored by a high sodium content. Furthermore, it is shown that colloidal suspensions of TMA sodalite with crystal sizes less than 40 nm are synthesized in the absence of alkali cations.     

铜离子在CuLaHY分子筛中的分布与吸附脱硫性能

在空气气氛中采用等体积浸渍法制备了具有不同Cu担载量的CuLaHY分子筛吸附剂, 并用X射线衍射(XRD)、比表面积(BET)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)技术对分子筛吸附剂进行了表征. 通过多晶XRD确定了Cu2+及La3+离子在Y型分子筛笼内的结构与分布, 并测定了分子筛吸附剂在含二苯并噻吩(DBT)的模拟柴油中的吸附脱硫性能. 结果表明, 前驱体CuCl2中的大部分Cu物种与LaHY分子筛进行了离子交换, 进入分子筛笼内, 极少部分Cu物种以CuCl形式高度分散在Y型分子筛的笼中. La3+离子及进入Y型分子筛笼中的部分Cu2+离子处于茁笼的SI'位, 而另一部分Cu2+离子与骨架氧和水分子配位, 并牢固地定位于Y型分子筛超笼中的SII及SIII位上. 处于超笼中SII及SIII位上的Cu2+离子对模拟柴油中的DBT分子具有吸附作用, 成为吸附脱硫的中心. 当模拟柴油中有萘存在时, 与DBT分子会产生竞争吸附.     

FSM-16沸石和纳米TiO2/FSM-16沸石的合成与光谱表征

二氧化钛纳米相超细粉体由于具有独特的光电性质和良好的化学稳定性, 近年来已引起人们高度重视. 这种粉体是光催化、太阳能转换、精细陶瓷等领域的重要材料, 尤其在废水处理中已得到了普遍应用[1,2]. 但悬浮相二氧化钛具有易失活、易凝聚和难回收等弱点. 就此而言, 近期十分引人关注的分子筛主体-纳米客体复合材料为解决这个难题提供了新的途径. 特别是具有规则孔道结构的中孔沸石分子筛, 由于孔径在纳米级范围内的可调性, 被认为是纳米粒子组装理想的宿主, 为低维材料(量子点、量子线和超晶格等)的特殊物理、化学性质研究提供了有力工具.     

A study of crystal structure and surface chemistry of silicalites

Crystal structure and sorption properties of silicalites, a new microporous crystalline silica, have been studied. The low temperature phase transition of silicalite into α-cristobalite is detected as being promoted by alkali cations. Removal of alkali cations by acid treatment results in higher thermo-stability of the crystals (to over 1150°C) without any change in maximum sorption capacity for n-hexane. Hydroxyl modes are found to be similar between silicalite and isostructural zeolite and were spectroscopically identified (the band at 3680 cm⁻¹) as hydrolyzed sodium-silicate bonds forming on acid treatment and washing the precursor crystals with water.     

Hypersonic acoustic excitations in binary colloidal crystals: big versus small hard sphere control

The phononic band structure of two binary colloidal crystals, at hypersonic frequencies, is studied by means of Brillouin light scattering and analyzed in conjunction with corresponding dispersion diagrams of the single colloidal crystals of the constituent particles. Besides the acoustic band of the average medium, the authors' results show the existence of narrow bands originating from resonant multipole modes of the individual particles as well as Bragg-type modes due to the (short-range) periodicity. Strong interaction, leading to the occurrence of hybridization gaps, is observed between the acoustic band and the band of quadrupole modes of the particles that occupy the largest fractional volume of the mixed crystal; the effective radius is either that of the large (in the symmetric NaCl-type crystalline phase) or the small (in the asymmetric NaZn(13)-type crystalline phase) particles. The possibility to reveal a universal behavior of the phononic band structure for different single and binary colloidal crystalline suspensions, by representing in the dispersion diagrams reduced quantities using an appropriate length scale, is discussed.     

Formation and decomposition of N,N,N-trimethylanilinium cations on zeolite H-Y investigated by in situ stopped-flow MAS NMR spectroscopy

Methylation of aniline by methanol on zeolite H-Y has been investigated by in situ (13)C MAS NMR spectroscopy under flow conditions. The in situ (13)C continuous-flow (CF) MAS NMR experiments were performed at reaction temperatures between 473 and 523 K, molar methanol-to-aniline ratios of 1:1 to 4:1, and modified residence times of (13)CH(3)OH between 20 and 100 (g x h)/mol. The methylation reaction was shown to start at 473 K. N,N,N-Trimethylanilinium cations causing a (13)C NMR signal at 58 ppm constitute the major product on the catalyst surface. Small amounts of protonated N-methylaniline ([PhNH(2)CH(3)](+)) and N,N-dimethylaniline ([PhNH(CH(3))(2)](+)) were also observed at ca. 39 and 48 ppm, respectively. After increase of the temperature to 523 K, the contents of N,N-dimethylanilinium cations and ring-alkylated reaction products strongly increased, accompanied by a decrease of the amount of N,N,N-trimethylanilinium cations. With application of the in situ stopped-flow (SF) MAS NMR technique, the decomposition of N,N,N-trimethylanilinium cations on zeolite H-Y to N,N-dimethylanilinium and N-methylanilinium cations was investigated to gain a deeper insight into the reaction mechanism. The results obtained allow the proposal of a mechanism consisting of three steps: (i) the conversion of methanol to surface methoxy groups and dimethyl ether (DME); (ii) the alkylation of aniline with methanol, methoxy groups, or DME leading to an equilibrium mixture of N,N,N-trimethylanilinium, N,N-dimethylanilinium, and N-methylanilinium cations attached to the zeolite surface; (iii) the deprotonation of N,N-dimethylanilinium and N-methylanilinium cations causing the formation of N,N-dimethylaniline (NNDMA) and N-methylaniline (NMA) in the gas phase, respectively. The chemical equilibrium between the anilinium cations carrying different numbers of methyl groups is suggested to play a key role for the products distribution in the gas phase.     

Regulating Nonclassical Pathways of Silicalite‐1 Crystallization through Controlled Evolution of Amorphous Precursors

Differentiating mechanisms of zeolite crystallization is challenging owing to the vast number of species in growth solutions. The presence of amorphous colloidal particles is ubiquitous in many zeolite syntheses, and has led to extensive efforts to understand the driving force(s) for their self‐assembly and putative roles in processes of nucleation and growth. In this study, we use a combination of in situ scanning probe microscopy, particle dissolution measurements, and colloidal stability assays to elucidate the degree to which silica nanoparticles evolve in their structure during the early stages of silicalite‐1 synthesis. We show how changes in precursor structure are mediated by the presence of organics, and demonstrate how these changes lead to significant differences in precursor–crystal interactions that alter preferred modes of crystal growth. Our findings provide guidelines for selectively controlling silicalite‐1 growth by particle attachment or monomer addition, thus allowing for the manipulation of anisotropic rates of crystallization. In doing so, we also address a longstanding question regarding what factors are at our disposal to switch from a nonclassical to classical mechanism.     

The effect of polymerization conditions on crystalline of polybutene-1 catalyzed by metallocene catalyst

Polybutene-1 was synthesized stereoselectively with the precursorη5-(pentamethyl-cyclopentadienyl) tribenzyloxide titanium (Cp*Ti(OBz)3) and methylaluminoxane (MAO). The effects of polymerization conditions, trimethyl alumina (TMA) content in MAO and temperature on the crystalline and molecular weight of the products, and catalytic activity were investigated. The structural properties of the polybutene-1 were characterized with 13C NMR and WAXD.     

Deposition of oriented zeolite A films: in situ and secondary growth

Zeolite A suspensions with a monomodal, narrow particle size distribution have been prepared. The suspended particles in a TMAOH water solution at pH 9 are negatively charged with a zeta potential of −43 mV. Modification of the external surface of the zeolite particles by a silylation reaction produces particles that, when they are suspended in water, are positively charged and have a zeta potential of +40 mV.The suspensions of the negatively or positively charged particles can be used for the preparation of adsorbed layers of particles on oppositely charged substrates by electrostatic attraction. This deposition process leads to a high coverage of the substrate with well-adhered particles. The cubic morphology of the zeolite particles results in preferential orientation after deposition. The particles are oriented with their {h 0 0} planes (cube faces) parallel and perpendicular to the substrate (out-of-plane orientation). The particles are randomly oriented with respect to the direction perpendicular to the substrate (in-plane orientation). Although, under optimized conditions, the coverage is high and only one adsorption cycle is necessary, the particles are not closely packed.Alternately, the zeolite particle suspensions can be used to deposit close-packed arrays of particles by convective particle transport during dip coating on substrates bearing the same charge as the zeolite particles. Using monodispersed zeolite A suspensions and slow speed dip coating close-packed hexagonal colloidal crystals were prepared. The type of colloidal crystal deposits formed range from continuous sublayers, monolayers, or multilayers to isolated discoidal clusters consisting of few zeolite particles. Factors affecting the deposited layer(s) structure are particle concentration of the suspension and withdrawal speed. In addition to close packing, the layers prepared by dip coating exhibit preferred orientation with the particle faces lying parallel and perpendicular to the substrate surface. Moreover, this second route of precursor film formation by colloidal crystallization leads to domains of well-aligned zeolite particles in three dimensions, i.e. with their faces parallel to each other. The oriented domains span the length of several particles; however, low angle boundaries and other defects during colloidal crystallization prevent the formation of macroscopically three-dimensionally ordered zeolite particles.The precursor layers were subjected to secondary growth in order to prepare continuous intergrown films. Secondary growth proceeds initially by local epitaxy on the deposited particles. Later in the process, deposition proceeds by incorporation of particles from solution along with re-nucleation on the growing film. The intergrown films have predominately [h 0 0] out-of-plane orientation; however, after extended secondary growth treatment a population of [h h h] grains appears on the surface of the regrown films.     

镧改性的CuHY分子筛中铜离子的分布及其对吸附脱硫性能的影响

在氮气气氛下采用等体积浸渍法制备了载Cu的HY和LaHY分子筛.用x射线衍射(XRD)、N2吸附、氨程序升温脱附和X射线光电子能谱对分子筛进行了表征.通过多晶XRD确定了Cu2+离子在Y型分子筛笼内的结构与分布,并测定了分子筛在含二苯并噻吩(DBT)的模拟柴油中的吸附脱硫性能.结果表明,前驱体CuCl2中的大部分Cu物种与HY和LaHY分子筛进行了离子交换.对于La3+改性的CuHY分子筛(CuLaHY),进入分子筛超笼中的Cu2+离子与骨架氧和水分子配位,牢固地定位于Y型分子筛超笼的SⅡ及SⅢ位;对于CuHY分子筛,超笼中的Cu2+离子只接近于SⅡ及SⅢ位.极少部分CuCl分子高度分散在分子筛笼内,没有定位.处于超笼中SⅡ及SⅢ位的Cu2+离子对模拟柴油中的DBT分子具有吸附作用,是吸附脱硫的活性中心.CuLaHY分子筛的吸附脱硫性能优于CuHY分子筛.当模拟柴油中含有萘时,萘与DBT分子会产生竞争吸附.     

Engineering macroporous composite materials using competitive adsorption in particle-stabilized foams

Slow crystallization and growth rate at room temperature in the presence of surfactant micelles is a new strategy used to synthesize hierarchical Na-A zeolites. The observed structure of the hierarchical materials was consistent with a two stage growth mechanism. During the early stage of the gel evolution, miniature zeolite gel particles were formed and assembled around surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide - CTAB) micelles. In a second stage, the slow mass transformation into crystalline phase and the low growth rate of the formed crystallites retained the CTAB micelles within the crystallization domain. After the removal of CTAB templates, the products showed large mesopores which were attributed to the interstitial voids between the aggregated zeolite nanocrystallites. The size of the mesopores can be further expanded by using linear hydrocarbons as swelling agents. The influences of the added amount of the hydrocarbons and the length of the hydrocarbon chains on the mesopore size were examined. The effects of the aging period and the concentration of CTAB in the synthesis mixture on the pore size distribution were also investigated. The colloidal suspension of the synthesized zeolite showed negative zeta potential throughout the entire range of pH. The mesoporous Na-A zeolite synthesized in this work showed higher ethylene adsorption capacity as compared to the conventional microporous Na-A zeolite. XRD, DLS, SEM, N(2) adsorption-desorption at 77K, TEM, (29)Si NMR and FTIR techniques were used to characterize the hierarchical Na-A zeolite.     

Thermal characterization of bacterial cellulose–phosphate composite membranes

Cellulose–phosphate composite membranes have been prepared from bacterial cellulose membranes (BC) and sodium polyphosphate solution. The structure and thermal behavior of the new composites were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), ³¹P-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) and thermomechanical analysis (TMA). From XRD analyses the Iα and Iβ cellulose crystalline phases were identified together with crystalline sodium phosphate that covers the cellulose microfibrils as revealed by SEM. ³¹P NMR spectra show peaks assigned to Q⁰ and Q¹ phosphate structures to be compared to the Q² units that characterize the precursor polyphosphate. Glass transition temperature, T _g, obtained from TMA curves and thermal stability obtained from TG and DSC measurements, were observed to be dependent on the phosphate content.     

π-Interactions between Cyclic Carbocations and Aromatics Cause Zeolite Deactivation in Methanol-to-Hydrocarbon Conversion

The understanding of catalyst deactivation represents one of the major challenges for the methanol-to-hydrocarbon (MTH) reaction over acidic zeolites. Here we report the critical role of intermolecular π-interactions in catalyst deactivation in the MTH reaction on zeolites H-SSZ-13 and H-ZSM-5. π-interaction-induced spatial proximities between cyclopentenyl cations and aromatics in the confined channels and/or cages of zeolites are revealed by two-dimensional solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The formation of naphtalene as a precursor to coke species is favored due to the reaction of aromatics with the nearby cyclopentenyl cations and correlates with both acid density and zeolite topology.     

Silica self-assembly and synthesis of microporous and mesoporous silicates

The microstructure of silica in basic aqueous solutions containing organic cations and prepared from monomeric precursors is reviewed and interpreted within the context of classical ideas of self-assembly of molecular aggregates. The solution properties can be understood by using the pseudo-phase separation approach coupled to the acid-base chemistry of silanol groups and the Poisson-Boltzmann equation. The silica nanoparticles frequently observed in these systems have a core-shell structure with silica in the core and the organic cations at the shell. Individual particles are observed when the forces between particles are repulsive-as is the case for small cations such as tetramethylammonium or tetrapropylammonium-and extended structures such as M41S materials are formed when the forces are attractive--as is the case for surfactants such as cetyltrimethylammonium. These ideas are useful to understand the evolution of zeolite synthesis gels from nucleation to crystal growth. Although at room temperature the silica and the organic cations are segregated, upon heating the organic cations are embedded within the particles. This transformation signals the onset of structure direction whereby the size and geometry of the organic cation induce changes in the structure of silica that may lead to zeolite nuclei.     

Mechanism studies of the conversion of 13C-labeled n-butane on zeolite H-ZSM-5 by using 13C magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy and GC-MS analysis

By using 13C MAS NMR spectroscopy (MAS = magic angle spinning), the conversion of selectively 13C-labeled n-butane on zeolite H-ZSM-5 at 430-470 K has been demonstrated to proceed through two pathways: 1) scrambling of the selective 13C-label in the n-butane molecule, and 2) oligomerization-cracking and conjunct polymerization. The latter processes (2) produce isobutane and propane simultaneously with alkyl-substituted cyclopentenyl cations and condensed aromatic compounds. In situ 13C MAS NMR and complementary ex situ GC-MS data provided evidence for a monomolecular mechanism of the 13C-label scrambling, whereas both isobutane and propane are formed through intermolecular pathways. According to 13C MAS NMR kinetic measurements, both pathways proceed with nearly the same activation energies (E(a) = 75 kJ mol(-1) for the scrambling and 71 kJ mol(-1) for isobutane and propane formation). This can be rationalized by considering the intermolecular hydride transfer between a primarily initiated carbenium ion and n-butane as being the rate-determining stage of the n-butane conversion on zeolite H-ZSM-5.     

Molecular heterogeneous catalysis: a single-site zeolite-supported rhodium complex for acetylene cyclotrimerization

By anchoring metal complexes to supports, researchers have attempted to combine the high activity and selectivity of molecular homogeneous catalysis with the ease of separation and lack of corrosion of heterogeneous catalysis. However, the intrinsic nonuniformity of supports has limited attempts to make supported catalysts truly uniform. We report the synthesis and performance of such a catalyst, made from [Rh(C(2)H(4))(2)(CH(3)COCHCOCH(3))] and a crystalline support, dealuminated Y zeolite, giving {Rh(C(2)H(4))(2)} groups anchored by bonds to two zeolite oxygen ions, with the structure determined by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy and the uniformity of the supported complex demonstrated by (13)C NMR spectroscopy. When the ethylene ligands are replaced by acetylene, catalytic cyclotrimerization to benzene ensues. Characterizing the working catalyst, we observed evidence of intermediates in the catalytic cycle by NMR spectroscopy. Calculations at the level of density functional theory confirmed the structure of the as-synthesized supported metal complex determined by EXAFS spectroscopy. With this structure as an anchor, we used the computational results to elucidate the catalytic cycle (including transition states), finding results in agreement with the NMR spectra.     

Synthesis and isolation of polytrityl cations by utilizing hexaphenylbenzene and tetraphenylmethane scaffolds

The successful isolation of stable (and soluble) hexa- and tetratrityl cations based on hexaphenylbenzene and tetraphenylmethane scaffold has been accomplished by using readily available starting materials. These robust polytrityl cations can be isolated in crystalline form and stored indefinitely at 0 degrees C. Their structures have been established by (1)H/(13)C NMR spectroscopy and by UV-vis spectroscopy. The structures of these polytrityl cations were further confirmed by quantitative transformations to the reduced (poly)triphenylmethyl derivatives by hydride transfer from triethylsilane, cycloheptatriene, or a borane-dimethyl sulfide complex.     

Electronic and vibrational properties of fluorenone in the channels of zeolite L

Fluorenone (C13H8O) was inserted into the channels of zeolite L by using gas-phase adsorption. The size, structure, and stability of fluorenone are well suited for studying host-guest interactions. The Fourier transform IR, Raman, luminescence, and excitation spectra, in addition to thermal analysis data, of fluorenone in solution and fluorenone/zeolite L are reported. Normal coordinate analysis of fluorenone was performed, based on which IR and Raman bands were assigned, and an experimental force field was determined. The vibrational spectra can be used for nondestructive quantitative analysis by comparing a characteristic dye band with a zeolite band that has been chosen as the internal standard. Molecular orbital calculations were performed to gain a better understanding of the electronic structure of the system and to support the interpretation of the electronic absorption and luminescence spectra. Fluorenone shows unusual luminescence behavior in that it emits from two states. The relative intensity of these two bands depends strongly on the environment and changes unexpectedly in response to temperature. In fluorenone/zeolite L, the intensity of the 300 nm band (lifetime 9 micros) increases with decreasing temperature, while the opposite is true for the 400 nm band (lifetime 115 micros). A model of the host-guest interaction is derived from the experimental results and calculations: the dye molecule sits close to the channel walls with the carbonyl group pointing to an Al3+ site of the zeolite framework. A secondary interaction was observed between the fluorenone's aromatic ring and the zeolite's charge-compensating cations.     

Monte carlo study of the adsorption and aggregation of alkyltrimethylammonium chloride on the montmorillonite-water interface

Organically modified clays exhibit adsorption capacities for cations, anions, and nonpolar organic compounds, which make them valuable for various environmental technical applications. To improve the understanding of the adsorption processes, the molecular-scale characterization of the structures of organic aggregates assembled on the external basal surfaces of clay particles is essential. The focus of this Monte Carlo simulation study was on the effects of the surface coverage and the alkyl chain length n on the structures of alkyltrimethylammonium chloride ((C(n)TMA)Cl) aggregates assembled on the montmorillonite-water interface. We found that the amount of adsorbed C(n)TMA(+) ions is independent of the alkyl chain length and increases with the C(n)TMA(+) surface coverage. The C(n)TMA(+) ions predominantly adsorb as inner-sphere complexes; the fraction of outer-sphere adsorbed ions equals only about 10%. The conformational order of the C(n)TMA(+) alkyl chains substantially decreases with decreasing alkyl chain length. In agreement with previous experiments, the amount of C(n)TMA(+) ions that are aggregated at the mineral surface increases with increasing chain length. The maximum value of 0.66 C(n)TMA(+) adsorption complex per unit cell area of the clay surface considerably exceeds the amount of cations required to compensate the negative charge of the montmorillonite surface. Furthermore, in most of the studied systems, fractions of Na(+) surface cations remain adsorbed on montmorillonite. The resulting interfacial positive charge excess is counterbalanced by coadsorbed chloride ions forming ion pairs with both C(n)TMA(+) and Na(+).