Diffusion of cyclohexane in native and surface-modified mesoporous glasses

Diffusion of cyclohexane in mesoporous silica materials with different degrees of surface silanization has been probed by means of pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance. The self-diffusion coefficients have been measured at various pore fillings from about 10% of one monolayer coverage to complete pore saturation by the capillary-condensed phase. It is found that the surface modification, namely grafting of dimethyloctadecylmethoxysilane molecules to the silica surface, reduces diffusivities of guest molecules as compared to the native sample. The contribution of the Knudsen molecular diffusion to the measured diffusivity has been assessed using the model of fast molecular exchange between the adsorbed phase on the pore walls and the molecules in the gaseous phase in the pore interior. The diffusivity data were correlated with the degree of the surface modification, with the latter being probed by measuring ¹H and ¹³C spectra using magic angle spinning (MAS) solid state NMR, nitrogen adsorption and thermogravimetry.     

Mesopores in USY Zeolites

Zeolites of type NaY synthesised by use of seed‐solution and zeolite X‐seeds to initialise the crystallisation were compared. A different homogeneity of the internal framework structure related to the Si/Al ratio was expected. Thus, the formation of closed bulk mesopores should be influenced during treatment of NH₄NaY modification for 7 hours at 450 °C and 600 °C, respectively, in the water steam of 1 bar. Occurrence of different mesopores was actually observed in obtained ultra‐stable USY zeolites using nitrogen adsorption. Whereas USY prepared by use of seed‐solution contains only open mesopores at the crystal surface, the X‐seed synthesised material contains open and closed mesopores at the surface and in the nuclei of samples, respectively.     

Adsorption of Water and Methanol on a NaZSM-5 Zeolite. A temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) study

Using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), we have investigated the desorption behavior after subsequent co-adsorption of methanol and water and after adsorption of their mixtures on a NaZSM-5 zeolite. The course of desorption indicates that a strong mutual displacement of both components occurs. However, on the strongest adsorption sites methanol is preferentially adsorbed, and already the addition of small amounts of methanol leads to a displacement of water. Our results support the idea of a subdivision of the pore space for adsorption of water/methanol mixtures. Above all, the experiments show that in the part of the pore space where both components are adsorbed, different sites are of importance which vary significantly in their interaction strength. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mesopores in USY Zeolites II

Microporous zeolites Na‐Y and K‐Y were converted into the NaNH₄‐Y and KNH₄‐Y modifications by ion exchange being active in dealumination. Removal of framework aluminium and silicon is accompanied by formation of secondary mesopores. Internal mesopores are formed in the centre of zeolite crystals and external pores at their surface. Formation of mesopores changes the sorption behaviour.Residual alkali metal cations as Na⁺ or K⁺ stabilise, however, the framework ≡Si‐O‐Al≡ bonds. Because of inhomogeneous distribution of sodium ions, in NaNH₄‐Y less internal but more external mesopores are formed. Potassium ions of KNH₄‐Y are more homogeneous distributed over the framework why a more balanced formation of secondary pores takes place.     

Adsorption of 1-tetradecene/dodecane mixtures on different types of zeolites

The influence of heterogeneity parameters on the shape of excess adsorption isotherms has been discussed. These isotherms have been calculated according to the equations corresponding to different energy distributions. Next, the isotherm equations have been applied to examine the experimental excess isotherms for 1-tetradecene/dodecane mixture adsorption on different types ofX-zeolites at 293 K, 313 K and 333 K. The zeolite samples have been prepared from NaX-zeolite by exchanging the sodium ions for ions of alkalines and calcium group. Analysis of the above adsorption data by means of different isotherm equations showed that the parameters of aDubinin-Radushkevich-type equation change correctly with temperature and the contents of alkalines in the zeolite samples.     

Characterization of short-time dealumined HZSM-5 zeolites

Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of water was applied to characterize short-time dealuminated HZSM-5 zeolites. Using a regularization method, distribution functions of the effective desorption energy of water were calculated. The results clearly show that during dealumination a new adsorption site is formed which can be attributed to non-framework or transient aluminium species. The highest concentration of these sites was observed for a dealumination time of 25-30 min. NO adsorption studies support this result. Furthermore, it could be concluded that the heterogeneity and the average acid strength of the remaining Si-OH-Al groups of the dealuminated samples do not change compared to the Si-OH-Al groups of the parent HZSM-5 zeolite. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Adsorption of 1-olefin/n-paraffin liquid mixtures on NaX and NaY zeolites

The isotherm equation for adsorption of binary liquid mixtures of nonelectrolytes, involving differences in molecular sizes of components and quasi-Gaussian energy distribution of adsorption sites, is used to describe the excess adsorption data for 1-olefin/n-paraffin liquid mixtures on NaX and NaY zeolites at 293 K. This equation gives a good representation of the above adsorption data. Analysis of these data showed that the heterogeneity parameter is slightly dependent on the difference in molecular sizes of both components.