短10元环孔道片状垂直交错ZSM-5分子筛合成（英文）

分子筛酸性位位于其亚纳米孔道中,赋予其独特的择型催化特性,在烃类催化转化中有重要应用.但传统分子筛的晶体尺寸通常在微米尺度,因此狭长的孔道结构使得分子与活性位的接触受到扩散限制.通过控制分子筛晶体生长习性,选择性暴露分子筛孔道开口晶面,截短分子筛孔道长度,可以有效解决扩散问题.例如通过控制ZSM-5分子筛沿b轴的生长,合成了具有单晶胞层厚度(2 nm)的二维片层状分子筛,有效的促进了分子扩散、大大提高了其在甲醇转化中的寿命.但这类ZSM-5分子筛的合成需要使用特殊的多头季铵盐模版剂,且一般SiO_2/Al_2O_3比大于100,不利于其实际应用推广.本文开发了一种使用简单有机胺模版剂(TEDA)合成片状垂直交错结构ZSM-5的新方法,并采用电子显微分析对所制ZSM-5分子筛晶体生长方向进行了表征,测试了其催化甲醇制汽油反应性能.结果表明,所得ZSM-5具有良好的结晶性和典型微孔分子筛吸附特征,微孔表面积和微孔体积分别为251 m~2/g和0.12cm~3/g.电镜结果表明,其晶体结构特征为:一簇平行子片垂直生长于一个母片上的交错结构,母片呈现异于常见六边形MFI的八边形结构,大小约3?5μm,子片大小约1?2μm,子片和母片的厚度均约为100?200 nm.母片平行于MFI晶体的(010)平面,因此母片表面暴露直孔道开口,且其直孔道长度约100?200 nm.子片与母片连接处的选区电子衍射(电子束沿[010]方向入射)与母片的选区电子衍射完全一致,子片垂直于[100]方向,且子片相互间以平行方式排列,这些证据均说明子片在母片上的生长方式很可能是外延生长,而非粒子堆积机理.因此,子片平行于MFI的(100)晶面,表面暴露之字形孔道开口,且之字形孔道长度约100?200 nm.进一步通过表征不同水热晶化时间的样品,研究了其可能的生长机制.结果表明,水热晶化72 h后,XRD图出现微弱的MFI晶体特征衍射峰,SEM显示有少量片状晶体生成,但无交错结构;晶化96 h后,XRD衍射峰增强,片状结构比例增加,且有交错结构出现;晶化120 h后,XRD呈现完美的MFI晶体衍射结构,SEM图显示均匀的交错片状结构.72和96 h的样品均为无定形物和片状(或交错片状)物共存,说明片状(或交错片状)结构的形成不是同步进行的;样品从开始结晶到完成结晶所需的时间较长,不同于分子筛结晶中常见的自催化结晶方式.我们推测,交错片状ZSM-5的形成发生在无定形物与溶液相界面处,遵循匀相成核机理.该方法得到的ZSM-5分子筛SiO_2/Al_2O_3约为40,且固体核磁表明,ZSM-5中Al主要以骨架四配位形式存在,HZSM-5催化剂上四配位Al的比例高达95%以上,因此其骨架有丰富的酸性位.甲醇制汽油反应性能显示,在363oC,0.4 MPa条件下,甲醇转化量240 g时催化剂仍未失活,表现出典型纳米ZSM-5分子筛的高稳定性特征,这可能归结于片状ZSM-5具有短的(100?200 nm)直孔道或之字形孔道,可以有效促进反应物和产物的扩散,抑制积碳的生成.     

利用ＳＢＡ-１５介孔内纳米碳合成含介孔的ＺＳＭ-５分子筛

SBA-15介孔分子筛内填充蔗糖并炭化后, 分别在碱性和弱酸性条件下, 用含铝源及TPABr的溶液浸渍,将SBA-15分子筛孔壁的无定形结构转化成ZSM-5分子筛的晶体结构, 除碳后得到含介孔的ZSM-5分子筛. 用X射线衍射、 N_2吸附-脱附、 ~(27)Al MAS NMR、 NH_3-TPD、 TEM、 SEM等对样品进行了表征, 考察了晶化时间等参数对样品的影响. 结果表明, 碱性条件下合成的ZSM-5分子筛晶体中含有少量孔径约3.2～4.2 nm的介孔孔道, 其酸强度接近与常规ZSM-5分子筛的酸强度;弱酸性条件下合成的ZSM-5分子筛晶体中含有大量孔径约1.4～1.6 nm的孔道, 其酸强度明显低于常规ZSM-5分子筛的酸强度.     

ZSM-5@Mesoporous Silica核壳复合结构分子筛的制备及其甲苯甲醇烷基化择形催化性能的研究

采用阳离子表面活性剂模板法在ZSM-5晶体颗粒表面外延生长介孔氧化硅壳层来调变其外表面酸性, 制备了具有高择形催化性能的介孔氧化硅包裹ZSM-5分子筛的微孔-介孔核壳结构复合材料ZSM-5@mesosilica. 扫描电镜和高分辨透射电镜表征显示, 具有无序孔道结构的介孔壳层均匀包覆于ZSM-5晶粒的外表面, 而且壳层的厚度在一定范围内可调变; 另外, 壳层介孔的孔道走向垂直于分子筛核, N₂吸附曲线表明复合材料的微孔和介孔具有互通性. 吡啶吸附和氨吸脱附实验结果证明这些分子可以自由扩散进入分子筛的微孔道, 并且介孔壳层包覆以后ZSM-5分子筛内的酸性位和强度基本没有变化. 用固定床评价了该复合分子筛对甲苯甲醇烷基化反应的催化性能, 结果表明, 与常规ZSM-5相比, ZSM-5@mesosilica核壳材料表现出了较高的对位选择性. 核壳材料独特的择形催化性能归因于介孔氧化硅壳层将ZSM-5非择形性的外表面酸性位部分覆盖, 从而抑制了对二甲苯在外表面的二级异构化反应.     

纳米 ZSM-22分子筛的水热合成及在甲醇转化反应中的性能

分子筛结构的独特性和多样性使其在催化、吸附分离和离子交换等领域有着广泛应用.近年来,纳米分子筛制备和应用受到极大关注.与传统微米分子筛相比,纳米分子筛具有较小的晶粒尺寸、较大的外表面积和较高的表面活性,能显著提高其分离和催化性能.制备纳米晶体的常用方法有过量模板法、空间限定法、晶种法、离子热合成法及微反应器合成法等.目前,已合成出多种拓扑结构的纳米分子筛,包括 FAU, MFI, MEL和CHA等. ZSM-22是一种具有 TON拓扑结构的一维十元环直孔道分子筛(孔口尺寸为0.45 nm ×0.55 nm),在长链烷烃异构化和烯烃异构化等反应中表现出优异的催化活性.水热合成法是制备 ZSM-22分子筛最常用的方法,所得样品晶粒尺寸为2–15μm,但由于 ZSM-22分子筛是一种亚稳态结构,为了防止杂晶生成,合成通常是在剧烈搅拌(通常大于400 r/min)下进行.目前已有报道在较低转速下合成 ZSM-22分子筛,但产物仍为微米晶体;或在微波辅助水热合成条件下合成亚微米 ZSM-22分子筛,但晶体尺寸不可调且合成过程需要较高功率的微波反应器.因此,在水热条件下合成纯纳米 ZSM-22分子筛仍然是一个巨大挑战.本文在上述研究基础上采用改进的水热合成法成功合成出纳米 ZSM-22分子筛,考察了转速﹑硅铝比及乙醇共溶剂对晶粒尺寸的影响,比较了纳米和常规微米 ZSM-22分子筛的甲醇转化反应性能.结果表明,采用改进的水热合成法能够在较低转速下合成出纳米 ZSM-22分子筛,晶体尺寸在150–800 nm范围可调.通过考察转速对晶粒尺寸的影响,发现静态合成条件下无法形成 ZSM-22分子筛,表明 ZSM-22分子筛合成需要一定的转速.转速在10–50 r/min变化时,可以合成出不同晶体尺寸的 ZSM-22分子筛,且随转速提高, ZSM-22分子筛晶体尺寸先减小后增大,表明纳米 ZSM-22分子筛合成存在最佳转速.另外,配料硅铝比能显著影响 ZSM-22分子筛晶体尺寸,随配料硅铝比增加, ZSM-22分子筛晶体尺寸先减小后增大.通过在合成体系中添加乙醇作为共溶剂,考察了有机溶剂对 ZSM-22分子筛晶粒尺寸的影响,发现有机溶剂能显著增大 ZSM-22的晶体尺寸.将本文合成的纳米和常规微米 ZSM-22分子筛用于甲醇转化反应,考察了晶体尺寸对 ZSM-22分子筛甲醇转化反应性能的影响.发现与常规微米 ZSM-22分子筛相比,纳米 ZSM-22分子筛催化剂寿命显著提高,说明晶粒尺寸减小能有效减缓积碳导致的分子筛失活;同时,反应产物中乙烯和芳烃选择性有所提高,这是由于外表面积增大所致.此外,还考察了不同硅铝比 ZSM-22分子筛的甲醇转化反应性能.结果表明,分子筛硅铝比会影响催化剂寿命,但晶体尺寸对催化剂寿命影响更大. ZSM-22分子筛硅铝比增大有助于提高低碳烯烃选择性,减少芳烃生成.     

纳米ZSM-22分子筛的水热合成及在甲醇转化反应中的性能（英文）

分子筛结构的独特性和多样性使其在催化、吸附分离和离子交换等领域有着广泛应用.近年来,纳米分子筛制备和应用受到极大关注.与传统微米分子筛相比,纳米分子筛具有较小的晶粒尺寸、较大的外表面积和较高的表面活性,能显著提高其分离和催化性能.制备纳米晶体的常用方法有过量模板法、空间限定法、晶种法、离子热合成法及微反应器合成法等.目前,已合成出多种拓扑结构的纳米分子筛,包括FAU,MFI,MEL和CHA等.ZSM-22是一种具有TON拓扑结构的一维十元环直孔道分子筛(孔口尺寸为0.45nm×0.55nm),在长链烷烃异构化和烯烃异构化等反应中表现出优异的催化活性.水热合成法是制备ZSM-22分子筛最常用的方法,所得样品晶粒尺寸为2–15μm,但由于ZSM-22分子筛是一种亚稳态结构,为了防止杂晶生成,合成通常是在剧烈搅拌(通常大于400r/min)下进行.目前已有报道在较低转速下合成ZSM-22分子筛,但产物仍为微米晶体;或在微波辅助水热合成条件下合成亚微米ZSM-22分子筛,但晶体尺寸不可调且合成过程需要较高功率的微波反应器.因此,在水热条件下合成纯纳米ZSM-22分子筛仍然是一个巨大挑战.本文在上述研究基础上采用改进的水热合成法成功合成出纳米ZSM-22分子筛,考察了转速﹑硅铝比及乙醇共溶剂对晶粒尺寸的影响,比较了纳米和常规微米ZSM-22分子筛的甲醇转化反应性能.结果表明,采用改进的水热合成法能够在较低转速下合成出纳米ZSM-22分子筛,晶体尺寸在150–800nm范围可调.通过考察转速对晶粒尺寸的影响,发现静态合成条件下无法形成ZSM-22分子筛,表明ZSM-22分子筛合成需要一定的转速.转速在10–50r/min变化时,可以合成出不同晶体尺寸的ZSM-22分子筛,且随转速提高,ZSM-22分子筛晶体尺寸先减小后增大,表明纳米ZSM-22分子筛合成存在最佳转速.另外,配料硅铝比能显著影响ZSM-22分子筛晶体尺寸,随配料硅铝比增加,ZSM-22分子筛晶体尺寸先减小后增大.通过在合成体系中添加乙醇作为共溶剂,考察了有机溶剂对ZSM-22分子筛晶粒尺寸的影响,发现有机溶剂能显著增大ZSM-22的晶体尺寸.将本文合成的纳米和常规微米ZSM-22分子筛用于甲醇转化反应,考察了晶体尺寸对ZSM-22分子筛甲醇转化反应性能的影响.发现与常规微米ZSM-22分子筛相比,纳米ZSM-22分子筛催化剂寿命显著提高,说明晶粒尺寸减小能有效减缓积碳导致的分子筛失活;同时,反应产物中乙烯和芳烃选择性有所提高,这是由于外表面积增大所致.此外,还考察了不同硅铝比ZSM-22分子筛的甲醇转化反应性能.结果表明,分子筛硅铝比会影响催化剂寿命,但晶体尺寸对催化剂寿命影响更大.ZSM-22分子筛硅铝比增大有助于提高低碳烯烃选择性,减少芳烃生成.     

不同结构扩孔分子筛催化MTP反应行为及表面积炭物种表征

采用TEAOH溶液处理MFI结构ZSM-5分子筛、MWW结构MCM-22分子筛,NaOH溶液处理TON结构ZSM-22分子筛、CHA结构SSZ-13分子筛得到四种结构的扩孔分子筛。在反应温度480℃、反应压力0.1 MPa、甲醇与水质量比1∶1、甲醇质量空速1.5 h~(-1)的条件下,考察了四种扩孔分子筛的甲醇制丙烯(MTP)催化性能,并采用XRD、N_2吸附-脱附、NH_3-TPD、TG、UV-Raman和GC-M S等方法表征催化剂的物化性质及M TP反应2 h后的分子筛积炭性质。结果表明,四种分子筛扩孔改性后均出现介孔,其中,T-ZSM-5分子筛在MTP反应中寿命最长;T-MCM-22分子筛寿命次之且失活速率慢;而一维孔道结构N-ZSM-22分子筛和八元环尺寸较小的N-SSZ-13分子筛均失活迅速。受拓扑结构和孔道扩散的影响,MTP反应2 h后,分子筛积炭量增加的顺序为T-ZSM-5N-ZSM-22T-MCM-22N-SSZ-13且可溶焦分子质量随积炭量增加而增重,即从五甲基苯增重到菲、芘等多环芳烃。     

蒸汽辅助结晶法合成多级孔整体型ZSM-5分子筛

多级孔分子筛由于其高的比表面积、良好的传质性能和可调控的孔径等特性,引起了广大科研工作者的研究兴趣.近年来,通过选择性脱除骨架硅或铝,成功合成了多级孔沸石分子筛材料.但是由于骨架原子的脱除使分子筛的结晶度降低,进而使其催化效率降低.通过硬模板法(如炭黑、介孔硅球、气凝胶等),也用于合成多级孔沸石分子筛.然而,这种方法制备过程较为复杂,且成本较高.因此,亟需发展新的多级孔分子筛的制备方法.此外,在工业应用中,沸石分子筛催化剂通常需要做成整体柱状或片形以消除固定床反应器的床层压降.合成整体型沸石分子筛的传统方法是在沸石分子筛成型过程中添加SiO2和Al2O3等无机粘结剂.虽然该方法简单易行,但沸石分子筛的孔道结构容易被破坏,而且无机粘结剂的存在使分子筛活性中心的密度减少.为了解决这些问题,合成整体型多级孔沸石分子筛,不仅具有较强的机械稳定性,适应于工业,而且其多级孔道有利于分子的扩散,从而具有较高的催化活性.针对上述问题,我们以海绵作为模板,通过蒸汽辅助结晶(steam-assisted crystallization,SAC)方法,制备具有多级孔道的整体型ZSM-5分子筛.通过X射线衍射(XRD)、氮吸附脱附、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、固态核磁共振和氨气的程序升温脱附(NH3-TPD)等手段对分子筛进行了结构与性质表征.XRD和固态核磁共振的结果表明,成功合成了不同Si/Al的ZSM-5分子筛.SEM和TEM结果进一步确定了合成的整体型多级孔ZSM-5分子筛(记作M-ZSM-n,n代表Si/Al的摩尔比),由于分子筛颗粒的堆积形成的介孔,海绵模板提供的固体骨架形成的大孔,分子筛本身的微孔,共同构成了微孔-介孔-大孔的整体型ZSM-5分子筛.透射电子显微镜上配备的X射线能谱仪(EDS)结果表明,分子筛中的Si和Al元素能够均匀的分布.氮吸附脱附证明所得整体型分子筛具有明显的介孔结构.NH3-TPD结果表明,不同Si/Al的整体型多级孔ZSM-5分子筛具有不同强度的酸性,其酸性强度:ZSM-5(60)相似文献   

MFI/MFI核壳分子筛的合成及催化性能研究

通过对核相ZSM-5的预处理步骤和在温和水热条件下的二次生长, 合成了壳层硅铝比高、核相硅铝比低、纳米晶壳层致密的MFI(核)/MFI(壳)型核壳分子筛材料. 考察了晶化温度和晶化时间对高硅壳层MFI/MFI核壳型沸石分子筛的合成的影响, 其适宜的合成条件为晶化温度高于130 ℃, 晶化时间19 h. 核相ZSM-5的预处理步骤对于成功合成此特殊核壳型分子筛材料十分关键. 与普通ZSM-5沸石分子筛相比, MFI/MFI核壳分子筛在催化甲苯甲基化反应时的失活效率显著降低.     

ZSM-5分子筛酸位分布及其甲醇制烯烃催化性能的定向管理与调控（英文）

ZSM-5分子筛在甲醇制烯烃(MTO)过程中的催化性能和反应机理与其孔道中酸位点分布位置紧密相关.本文证明在水热合成过程中加入适量的钠离子(Na~+)可以增加ZSM-5分子筛交叉腔酸位点比例;从而促进高级甲基苯的生成并加速芳烃循环,有利于乙烯生成.相反,在合成过程中不添加钠离子,所制备的ZSM-5分子筛直孔道和正弦孔道酸位点比例明显提高,有利于促进烯烃循环并提高丙烯和C_(3+)烯烃选择性.     

特殊形貌类雪花状ZSM-5分子筛的合成、表征及甲醇制烯烃催化性能(英文)

美国Mobil公司于1972年首先开发的ZSM-5分子筛是一种高硅三维交叉孔道的沸石分子筛,其孔道结构具有良好的择形作用,因此被广泛应用于芳构化、异构化、烷基化和催化裂化等工业催化过程.ZSM-5分子筛的催化性能与其晶粒尺寸、酸性及形貌等密切相关.改变合成方法和制备参数可以合成出不同形貌的ZSM-5分子筛,但目前关于ZSM-5分子筛形貌对其物理化学性质和催化性能的影响报道较少.本文通过改变模板剂类型,采用水热合成法,制备出了类雪花状、椭圆柱状和夹心糖状三种不同形貌的ZSM-5分子筛.通过X射线荧光光谱(XRF)、N_2物理吸脱附(BET)、扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、固体核磁共振(MAS NMR)、NH_3程序升温脱附(NH_3-TPD)及吸附吡啶的红外光谱(Py-IR)等手段对不同形貌分子筛的物理化学性质、形貌、晶体骨架结构和酸性进行了表征.采用浸渍法制备了Ca/HZSM-5催化剂,以甲醇制烯烃(MTO)为探针反应、着重研究了ZSM-5分子筛形貌和晶体结构特性对其酸性和催化性能的影响.合成的三种不同形貌的ZSM-5分子筛具有相近的SiO_2/Al_2O_3比和比表面积.XRD结果表明,通过改变模板剂类型,可制得结晶度较好的ZSM-5分子筛,其中类雪花状分子筛的(101)晶面比例明显多于其它两种分子筛,而椭圆柱状分子筛则暴露更多的(020)晶面.~(27)Al MAS NMR结果表明,绝大部分Al都以四配位形式存在于三种分子筛骨架中,而类雪花状分子筛的峰强度较低,这是由于Al的配位环境不同(偶极作用弱),说明在类雪花状分子筛的交叉晶面中存在大量扭曲、错位和不对称结构;与其它两种分子筛相比,类雪花状分子筛的~(29)Si MAS NMR谱峰宽化、进一步证明该分子筛骨架结构中存在扭曲、错位和不对称性.NH_3-TPD结果表明,类雪花状HZSM-5分子筛的酸量明显高于其它两种分子筛,在SiO_2/Al_2O_3比相近的情况下、类雪花状HZSM-5分子筛晶体骨架结构的错位、扭曲和不对称性造成了该分子筛中酸量增加;但Py-IR结果表明,类雪花状HZSM-5分子筛的酸量低于其它两种分子筛,这与NH_3-TPD结果有差异,主要是由于类雪花状分子筛几何空间结构和晶界处的扭曲、错位对孔道结构的影响,不利于比NH_3分子大的吡啶分子的扩散,进而影响了吡啶分子在酸性位上的吸附.三种不同形貌的ZSM-5分子筛经Ca改性后比表面积和微孔比表面积均明显下降,其中类雪花状和椭圆柱状催化剂的微孔比表面积下降幅度较大,外比表面积下降幅度较小.这是因为各分子筛的晶体结构和晶面的取向差异,导致Ca离子在分子筛上的扩散行为不同.同时,经Ca改性后,三个催化剂的总酸量均有下降,尤其是类雪花状分子筛酸量下降较为明显,表明其中Ca离子更容易扩散到分子筛孔道内,与更多的酸性位作用,而夹心糖状分子筛表面具有更多的Z字形孔道,不利于Ca离子扩散到分子筛孔道内,因而酸量下降较少.Py-IR结果表明,Ca改性后催化剂的总酸量下降,尤其是B酸明显降低,L酸略有增加,其中类雪花状ZSM-5分子筛催化剂的B酸量最低.甲醇制烯烃反应评价结果表明,随着反应温度升高,三个催化剂的总烯选择性和丙烯选择性均呈先升高后降低的趋势.类雪花状ZSM-5分子筛催化剂在甲醇转化率相近时具有最高的烯烃选择性,在反应温度为460℃时,总烯烃选择性为72%,丙烯选择性达39%.     

Layer-by-layer assembly of zeolite crystals on glass with polyelectrolytes as ionic linkers

ZSM-5 crystals and glass plates tethered with trimethylpropylammonium iodide and sodium butyrate, respectively, (denoted as Z+, Z-, G+, and G-, respectively) were prepared. Treatment of G- with Z+ suspended in ethanol results in monolayer assembly of Z+ on G- (G-/Z+) with high surface coverage. The zeolite crystals have a strong tendency to closely pack and align with the b-axis normal to the glass plate, despite large positive zeta potentials. Subsequent treatment of G-/Z+ with Z- leads to second-layer assembly of Z- on G-/Z+ (G-/Z+/Z-), but with rather poor coverage. Sequential treatment of G+ with poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate)(Na+PSS-), poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA+Cl-), and Na+PSS- followed by Z+ yields glass plates assembled with monolayers of Z+ with very high surface coverage through the composite polyelectrolyte linkers (G+/PSS-/PDDA+/PSS-/Z+). The zeolite crystals also have a strong tendency to closely pack and align with the b-axis perpendicular to the substrate plane. The binding strength between the zeolite crystals and glass plates is much higher in G+/PSS-/PDDA+/PSS-/Z+ than in G-/Z+. Repetition of the sequential PSS-/PDDA+/PSS-/Z+ layering for five cycles yields glass plates assembled with pentalayers of ZSM-5 crystals [G+/(PSS-/PDDA+/PSS-/Z+)(5)]. The observed degrees of coverage and alignment of zeolite crystals in each layer were very high up to the third layers despite the nonuniformity of the sizes and shapes of the zeolite crystals used in this study. This report thus demonstrates the feasibility of layer-by-layer assembly of micrometer-sized zeolite crystals on glass through electrostatic interaction between surface-bound, full-fledged ionic centers, especially by use of polyelectrolyes as the linkers.     

Effects of the grain boundary on phase structure and surface morphology of TiO2 films prepared by MAO technology

Some porous titanium dioxide (TiO₂) films were prepared on flexible substrates by the method of micro‐arc oxidation (MAO) combined with magnetron sputtering (MS). The original material of MAO was Ti films prepared by MS, which was composed of columnar crystals with a diameter of less than 150 nm. The results indicated that the phase of the oxide films was mainly anatase structure, and the pore diameter of the films was about 100–300 nm. However, the phases of the oxide films prepared on Ti plates, which composed of equiaxed crystals with a diameter of 2–5 µm, were anatase and rutile structure. The pore diameter of those films was about 4–10 µm. It was suggested that the changes of the grain boundary structure of the original material could have a significant impact on the phase structure and surface morphology of the resultant TiOx films. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Phase Separation in Methylsiloxane Sol-Gel Systems in a Small Confined Space

The organo-siloxane gel with co-continuous structure derived from methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) was synthesized in a confined space between parallel plates by inducing spinodal decomposition during sol-gel transition. The resultant gel morphology was 3-dimensionally observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). The sliced LSCM photographs revealed that the confined gels have inhomogeneity perpendicular to the plate, exhibiting a layered structure. The layered structure can be divided into three regions according to their morphology; interface, near-surface layer, bulk phase. The organo-siloxane depletion layer had formed in the vicinity of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic plates, and the bulk phase had formed slight away from the plates exhibited co-continuous structure. In addition, the confined gels exhibited no shrinkage during drying process that resulted in the larger domain size compared to the monolithic gel. The attractive interaction between the plates and the resultant organo-siloxane phase accounts for the inhibition of shrinkage of confined gels.     

Reversible alignment change of liquid crystals induced by photochromic molecular films: Properties of azobenzene chromophores covalently attached to silica surfaces

In connection with the mechanism of reversible alignment change of nematic liquid crystals induced by photoisomerizable azobenzene molecules attached to a quartz surface, a static contact angle measurement was carried out for azo-modified plates before and after UV irradiation. The results were not in line with the so-called Friedel-Creagh-Kmetz rule which claims that the alignment is governed by a mutual relationship between a substrate surface energy and surface tension of a liquid crystal. On the other hand, electronic absorption spectra of the plate demonstrated that the ratio of an absorbance at around 340 nm to that at around 240 nm of the azo-chromophore on the surface is reduced by wetting the surface with a UV-transparent nematic liquid crystal. This reflects that the surface azobenzene units are induced to stand approximately perpendicular to the surface upon contact with the liquid crystal. Further discussion is made concerning the photo-induced homogeneous alignment triggered by a rubbed and azo-modified quartz plate determined by polarized absorption spectroscopy.     

Orthogonal self-assembly of interconnected one-dimensional inorganic and organic nanostructures on the Si(100) surface

Orthogonal, interconnected inorganic and organic one-dimensional nanostructures have been fabricated by parallel self-assembly on the Si(100) surface and investigated using room temperature ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy. In particular, bismuth nanowires were self-assembled on the clean Si(100)-2 x 1 surface perpendicular to the Si dimer rows, followed by hydrogen passivation of the surrounding Si surface. Styrene molecular chains were then self-assembled on the H-passivated Si(100)-2 x 1 surface to intersect perpendicularly with the Bi nanowires. This general approach can likely be applied to the wide range of inorganic and organic species that spontaneously form one-dimensional nanostructures on the Si(100) surface.     

Laser‐induced periodic surface structure on a polymer surface: The effect of a prerubbing treatment on the surface structure

The influence of the mechanical rubbing of a polyimide (PI) film on the laser‐induced periodic structure (LIPS) was demonstrated. The periodicity and amplitude of LIPS were greater when the rubbing direction was parallel to the laser polarization direction. The amplitude became small and the periodicity of LIPS did not show an obvious change when the rubbing direction was perpendicular to the laser polarization direction. The effect of the rubbing pretreatment on LIPS was explained on the basis of the wave‐guide effect of rubbing‐induced microgrooves on LIPS formation. The orientation of PI chains induced by mechanical rubbing was relaxed after laser irradiation, and a new orientation of PI chains was formed during the LIPS formation. When the rubbing direction was perpendicular to the laser polarization direction, the orientation of PI chains remained in the rubbing direction. The laser‐irradiated, perpendicularly rubbed PI surface could be used to verify the effects of surface morphologies and intermolecular interactions on liquid‐crystal alignment. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1273–1280, 2003     

Lamellar structures in neodymium borides

Samples with the nominal composition Nd₂B₅ contain strongly disordered crystals composed of nanosized (100) lamellae. Most commonly, a polysynthetic twinning based on a fourfold rotation separates the lamellae at coherent boundaries. The structure of the twin interface contains a pseudo fourfold arrangement of B atoms as derived from electron microscopy techniques. Such pseudo-symmetry serves for a rationalization of the twinning. Additionally, a chemical intergrowth of Nd₂B₅ and NdB₄ lamellae based on related structural building units can be observed. Further HRTEM examinations allow the identification of a new structural variant of neodymium borides.     

Deposition of poly(styrene/alpha-tert-butoxy-omega-vinyl-benzyl-polyglycidol) microspheres on mica plates crossing the liquid-air interface: formation of stripe pattern

Formation of stripelike assemblies of poly(styrene/alpha-tert-butoxy-omega-vinyl-benzyl-polyglycidol) microspheres adsorbed on nonpatterned mica plates moving perpendicularly from suspension of particles through the water-air interface has been observed. It was found that ordered assemblies were formed by capillary forces acting on particles crossing the water-air boundary. At sufficiently high rates of plate movement (i.e., at appropriate dynamic loading conditions) the adsorbed microspheres approaching the water surface begin sliding on the plate, due to capillary forces, in the direction opposite to the plate movement and are kept below the water surface. Plate movement brings new adsorbed particles to the water-air interface, where particles are assembled into aggregates. When particle aggregates are large, the capillary forces cannot overcome shearing forces and the particle assemblies are withdrawn on the plate above the water surface. This process repeated during continuous movement of the plate results in the formation of the quite regularly distributed stripes of adsorbed microspheres. Formation of the regularly distributed particle assemblies depends on concentration of microspheres in suspension.     

Morphology of large ZSM-5 crystals unraveled by fluorescence microscopy

Understanding the internal structure of ZSM-5 crystallites is essential for improving catalyst performance. In this work, a combination of fluorescence microscopy, AFM, SEM, and optical observations is employed to study intergrowth phenomena and pore accessibility in a set of five ZSM-5 samples with different crystal morphologies. An amine-functionalized perylene dye is used to probe acid sites on the external crystal surface, while DAMPI (4-(4-diethylaminostyryl)- N-methylpyridinium iodide) is used to map access to the straight channels in MFI from the outer surface. The use of these dyes is validated by studying the well-understood rounded-boat type ZSM-5 crystals. Next coffin-shaped ZSM-5 crystals are considered; we critically evaluate the seemingly conflicting 2-component and 3-component models that have been proposed to account for the hourglass structure in these crystals. The data prove that observation of an hourglass structure is essentially unrelated to a 90 degree rotation of the pyramidal crystal components under the (010) face. Hence, in perfectly formed coffin-shaped crystals, the straight channels can be accessed from (010). However, in other crystal batches, sections with a 90 degrees rotation can be found; they are indeed located inside the crystal sections under (010) but often only partially occupy these pyramidal components. In such a case, both straight and sinusoidal pores surface at the hexagonal face. The results largely support the 3-component model, but with the added notion that 90 degree rotated sections (as proposed in the 2-component model) are most likely to be formed inside the defect-rich, pyramidal crystal sections under the (010) faces.     

Molecular orientation of evaporated pentacene films on gold: alignment effect of self-assembled monolayer

Pentacene films deposited on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) bearing different terminal functional groups have been studied by reflection-absorption IR, grazing angle XRD, NEXAFS, AFM, and SEM analyses. A film with pentacene molecules nearly perpendicularly oriented was observed on Au surfaces covered with an SAM of alkanethiol derivative of X-(CH2)(n)-SH, with X = -CH(3), -COOH, -OH, -CN, -NH(2), C(60), or an aromatic thiol p-terphenylmethanethiol. On the other hand, a film with the pentacene molecular plane nearly parallel to the substrate surface was found on bare Au surface. A similar molecular orientation was found in thinner ( approximately 5 nm) and thicker (100 nm) deposited films. Films deposited on different surfaces exhibit distinct morphologies: with apparently smaller and rod-shaped grains on clean bare Au surface but larger and islandlike crystals on SAM-modified surfaces. X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (X-PEEM) was used to analyze the orientation of pentacene molecules deposited on a SAM-patterned Au surface. With the micro-NEXAFS spectra and PEEM image analysis, the microarea-selective orientation control on Au was characterized. The ability to control the packing orientation in organic molecular crystals is of great interest in fabricating organic field effect transistors because of the anisotropic nature of charge transport in organic semiconducting materials.