LMU Researchers Study New Methods for Zeolite Synthesis

A research team from the Department of Chemistry of Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) led by Dr. Svetlana Mintova of the Laboratoire Catalyse et Spectrochimie in Caen, is conducting studies to develop a new method for the synthesis of EMT from colloidal precursors at room temperature within a short time.

Traditionally zeolites have been used as catalysts to separate and adsorb many substances. There are more than 200 known types of zeolites. However the process of synthesising zeolites requires costly organic structure-directing agents at high temperature and pressure levels. Particularly, synthesis of EMT, which is the most stable zeolite with large pores involves the use of an expensive template. This has discouraged industries from using the zeolite for various applications.

The new method uses the smallest zeolite nanocrystal containing an open pore network as molecules can enter the crystal to cause catalytic reactions within a short distance and time. Preparation of the nanocrystals can be done at a low temperature without using an expensive template. Due to these reasons, scaling up of the synthesising process to an industrial level also can be achieved without causing threat to the environment. These nanoscale zeolite disks can be used in various applications such as catalysis, ultra thin film designing, sensors, nanoscale devices and membranes.