Synthesis of Zeolite Crystallites and Preparation of Composite Membranes for Diffusion Measurement

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Jürgen Caro
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation
• Term: from 2003 to 2008
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5407646

This project cares for the material basis of the package of proposals devoted to the investigation of molecular diffusion in zeolites. On the one hand, this project has a service character to supply the project partners with high-quality and well-characterized zeolite material. On the other hand, novel routes in zeolite synthesis will be explored to control and fine-tune the crystal properties. The zeolite specimens produced within this project have to obey a number of requirements, which result from the conditions under which the different experimental techniques operate. They involve the crystal size, (which is expected to be varied over as large ranges as possible, in particular including large crystal sizes) crystal homogeneity, crystal endurance under the conditions of sample preparation for the diffusion measurements and crystal composition with respect to the framework atoms, the exchangeable cations and structure defects, which can result in external and internal transport resistances (barriers). Zeolite synthesis will start with evaluated recipes as recommended by the Synthesis Commission of the International Zeolite Association. These recipes have to be further developed and optimized according to the aims of the project. Novel developments including the application of crystallization seeds, compartmentalized gel preparation, the co-templating concept and microwave heating will be used together with concepts as temperature controlled nucleation growth profiles, tailoring the crystal size and morphology by controlled growth conditions and continuous addition of fresh crystallization solution together with temperature changes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants