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Asselman K, Kirschhock C, Breynaert E. Illuminating the Black Box: A Perspective on Zeolite Crystallization in Inorganic Media. Acc Chem Res 2023; 56:2391-2402. [PMID: 37566703 PMCID: PMC10515482 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
ConspectusSince the discovery of synthetic zeolites in the 1940s and their implementation in major industrial processes involving adsorption, catalytic conversion, and ion exchange, material scientists have targeted the rational design of zeolites: controlling synthesis to crystallize zeolites with predetermined properties. Decades later, the fundamentals of zeolite synthesis remain largely obscured in a black box, rendering rational design elusive. A major prerequisite to rational zeolite design is to fully understand, and control, the elementary processes governing zeolite nucleation, growth, and stability. The molecular-level investigation of these processes has been severely hindered by the complex multiphasic media in which aluminosilicate zeolites are typically synthesized. This Account documents our recent progress in crystallizing zeolites from synthesis media based on hydrated silicate ionic liquids (HSIL), a synthesis approach facilitating the evaluation of the individual impacts of synthesis parameters such as cation type, water content, and alkalinity on zeolite nucleation, growth, and phase selection. HSIL-based synthesis allows straightforward elucidation of the relationship between the characteristics of the synthesis medium and the properties and structure of the crystalline product. This assists in deriving new insights in zeolite crystallization in an inorganic aluminosilicate system, thus improving the conceptual understanding of nucleation and growth in the context of inorganic zeolite synthesis in general. This Account describes in detail what hydrated silicate ionic liquids are, how they form, and how they assist in improving our understanding of zeolite genesis on a molecular level. It describes the development of ternary phase diagrams for inorganic aluminosilicate zeolites via a systematic screening of synthesis compositions. By evaluating obtained crystal structure properties such as framework composition, topology, and extraframework cation distributions, critical questions are dealt with: Which synthesis variables govern the aluminum content of crystallizing zeolites? How does the aluminum content in the framework determine the expression of different topologies? The crucial role of the alkali cation, taking center stage in all aspects of crystallization, phase selection, and, by extension, transformation is also discussed. New criteria and models for phase selection are proposed, assisting in overcoming the need for excessive trial and error in the development of future synthesis protocols.Recent progress in the development of a toolbox enabling liquid-state characterization of these precursor media has been outlined, setting the stage for the routine monitoring of zeolite crystallization in real time. Current endeavors on and future needs for the in situ investigation of zeolite crystallization are highlighted. Finally, experimentally accessible parameters providing opportunities for modeling zeolite nucleation and growth are identified. Overall, this work provides a perspective toward future developments, identifying research areas ripe for investigation and discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karel Asselman
- Center
for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis − Characterization and
Application Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Christine Kirschhock
- Center
for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis − Characterization and
Application Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eric Breynaert
- Center
for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis − Characterization and
Application Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- NMR/X-ray
Platform for Convergence Research (NMRCoRe), KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
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Radhakrishnan S, Lejaegere C, Duerinckx K, Lo WS, Morais AF, Dom D, Chandran CV, Hermans I, Martens JA, Breynaert E. Hydrogen bonding to oxygen in siloxane bonds drives liquid phase adsorption of primary alcohols in high-silica zeolites. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2023; 10:3702-3711. [PMID: 37401863 PMCID: PMC10463557 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh00888f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Upon liquid phase adsorption of C1-C5 primary alcohols on high silica MFI zeolites (Si/Al = 11.5-140), the concentration of adsorbed molecules largely exceeds the concentration of traditional adsorption sites: Brønsted acid and defect sites. Combining quantitative in situ1H MAS NMR, qualitative multinuclear NMR and IR spectroscopy, hydrogen bonding of the alcohol function to oxygen atoms of the zeolite siloxane bridges (Si-O-Si) was shown to drive the additional adsorption. This mechanism co-exists with chemi- and physi-sorption on Brønsted acid and defect sites and does not exclude cooperative effects from dispersive interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sambhu Radhakrishnan
- Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis - Characterization and Application Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F Box 2461, 3001-Heverlee, Belgium.
- NMRCoRe - NMR/X-Ray platform for Convergence Research, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F Box 2461, 3001-Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Lejaegere
- Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis - Characterization and Application Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F Box 2461, 3001-Heverlee, Belgium.
| | - Karel Duerinckx
- Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis - Characterization and Application Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F Box 2461, 3001-Heverlee, Belgium.
- NMRCoRe - NMR/X-Ray platform for Convergence Research, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F Box 2461, 3001-Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Wei-Shang Lo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Alysson F Morais
- Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis - Characterization and Application Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F Box 2461, 3001-Heverlee, Belgium.
- NMRCoRe - NMR/X-Ray platform for Convergence Research, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F Box 2461, 3001-Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Dirk Dom
- Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis - Characterization and Application Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F Box 2461, 3001-Heverlee, Belgium.
- NMRCoRe - NMR/X-Ray platform for Convergence Research, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F Box 2461, 3001-Heverlee, Belgium
| | - C Vinod Chandran
- Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis - Characterization and Application Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F Box 2461, 3001-Heverlee, Belgium.
- NMRCoRe - NMR/X-Ray platform for Convergence Research, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F Box 2461, 3001-Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Ive Hermans
- Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis - Characterization and Application Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F Box 2461, 3001-Heverlee, Belgium.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1552 University Ave, Madison, WI 53726, USA
| | - Johan A Martens
- Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis - Characterization and Application Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F Box 2461, 3001-Heverlee, Belgium.
- NMRCoRe - NMR/X-Ray platform for Convergence Research, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F Box 2461, 3001-Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Eric Breynaert
- Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis - Characterization and Application Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F Box 2461, 3001-Heverlee, Belgium.
- NMRCoRe - NMR/X-Ray platform for Convergence Research, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F Box 2461, 3001-Heverlee, Belgium
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Asselman K, Vandenabeele D, Pellens N, Doppelhammer N, Kirschhock CE, Breynaert E. Structural Aspects Affecting Phase Selection in Inorganic Zeolite Synthesis. CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS : A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2022; 34:11081-11092. [PMID: 36590702 PMCID: PMC9798827 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.2c03204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
A guideline for zeolite phase selection in inorganic synthesis media is proposed, based on a systematic exploration of synthesis from inorganic media using liquid Na+, K+, and Cs+ aluminosilicate. Although the Si/Al ratio of the zeolites is a continuous function of the synthesis conditions, boundaries between topologies are sharp. The here-derived phase selection criterion relates the obtained zeolite topology to the Si/Al ratio imposed by the synthesis medium. For a given Si/Al ratio, the framework with the highest occupation of topologically available cation sites is favored. The large number of published zeolite syntheses supporting the observation provides strong indication that the concept is applicable in a larger context. The proposed criterion explains how minor variations in the composition of inorganic synthesis media induce the commonly occurring, abrupt changes in topology. It highlights underlying reasons causing the strict demarcation of stability fields of the as-synthesized zeolites experimentally observed in inorganic synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karel Asselman
- Center
for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis—Characterisation and Application
Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven3000, Belgium
| | - Dries Vandenabeele
- Center
for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis—Characterisation and Application
Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven3000, Belgium
| | - Nick Pellens
- Center
for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis—Characterisation and Application
Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven3000, Belgium
| | - Nikolaus Doppelhammer
- Center
for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis—Characterisation and Application
Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven3000, Belgium
- Institute
for Microelectronics and Microsystems, JKU
Linz, Linz4040, Austria
| | - Christine E.A. Kirschhock
- Center
for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis—Characterisation and Application
Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven3000, Belgium
| | - Eric Breynaert
- Center
for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis—Characterisation and Application
Team (COK-KAT), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven3000, Belgium
- NMR-Xray
Platform for Convergence Research (NMRCoRe), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven3000, Belgium
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Van Tendeloo L, Wangermez W, Kurttepeli M, de Blochouse B, Bals S, Van Tendeloo G, Martens JA, Maes A, Kirschhock CEA, Breynaert E. Addition to chabazite: stable cation-exchanger in hyper alkaline concrete pore water. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:5245. [PMID: 25839212 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b01495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
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Van Tendeloo L, de Blochouse B, Dom D, Vancluysen J, Snellings R, Martens JA, Kirschhock CEA, Maes A, Breynaert E. Cation exchange properties of zeolites in hyper alkaline aqueous media. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:1729-1737. [PMID: 25569300 DOI: 10.1021/es505345r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Construction of multibarrier concrete based waste disposal sites and management of alkaline mine drainage water requires cation exchangers combining excellent sorption properties with a high stability and predictable performance in hyper alkaline media. Though highly selective organic cation exchange resins have been developed for most pollutants, they can serve as a growth medium for bacterial proliferation, impairing their long-term stability and introducing unpredictable parameters into the evolution of the system. Zeolites represent a family of inorganic cation exchangers, which naturally occur in hyper alkaline conditions and cannot serve as an electron donor or carbon source for microbial proliferation. Despite their successful application as industrial cation exchangers under near neutral conditions, their performance in hyper alkaline, saline water remains highly undocumented. Using Cs(+) as a benchmark element, this study aims to assess the long-term cation exchange performance of zeolites in concrete derived aqueous solutions. Comparison of their exchange properties in alkaline media with data obtained in near neutral solutions demonstrated that the cation exchange selectivity remains unaffected by the increased hydroxyl concentration; the cation exchange capacity did however show an unexpected increase in hyper alkaline media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leen Van Tendeloo
- Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, KU Leuven , Kasteelpark Arenberg 23 - box 2461, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
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