Aluminosilicate zeolites were first introduced in the early 1950s for applications in adsorption, separation, catalytic conversion and refinery of petroleum. There has been rapid progress since... Show moreAluminosilicate zeolites were first introduced in the early 1950s for applications in adsorption, separation, catalytic conversion and refinery of petroleum. There has been rapid progress since then in synthesizing new zeolites and in developing new zeolitic processes; but there has been less progress in understanding the mechanism and chemistry of various synthesis routes and procedures. Consider, for example, that more than fifty topologically distinct zeolites can be produced from silicon, aluminum, and oxygen simply by varying the ratio of SiO2 to Al2O3 in the synthesis mixture, the alkalinity of the mixture, and the composition of the base. Most of these recipes have been formulated empirically. Consider also that while over a hundred different zeolite framework types have been successfully synthesized, at least another thousand are possible based upon theoretical studies. If the chemistry of zeolite formation at a molecular level was better understood then it would be easier to design various viable syntheses. One key to gaining a good understanding of zeolite synthesis mechanisms is through in-situ characterization of the reaction system. Although some characterization tools have been developed to accomplish this, much improvement could be made using special reactors and penetrating radiation from neutron and synchrotron x-ray sources. In principle, in-situ small angle scattering combined with diffraction, NMR, IR, EXAFS, XANES, and other techniques (sometimes simultaneously) can be used to follow the evolution of the zeolite structure from the molecular level, to micron-sized clusters, and beyond. The possible presence of density fluctuation in the solution state, the kinetics of zeolite crystallization from the solution, and the structure identification of the zeolite phases formed under various conditions can be experimentally determined. What is needed to be able to do these studies is some clever design and testing of reactors that will accommodate the often caustic zeolite reaction systems and also allow penetration of the analyzing radiations. The focus of the proposed work is thus design and testing of reactors for use at Argonne National Laboratory at the Advanced Photon Source or at the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source, and application of the reactors for characterization of zeolite syntheses. Proof of principle work should be at atmospheric pressure, which is the most applicable for now; and the top temperature range should be 50 degrees C. Show less
