Synthesis of self-assembled hierarchical AlPO-34 microspheres by using an ionic liquid and its application in heavy metal removal

Hierarchical AlPO-34 molecular sieves microspheres were synthesized in a [BMIm]Br ionic liquid without template or complex post-treatment process. The formation mechanism of such framework structures and their morphology were investigated. [BMIm]Br was proven to serve as both solvent and sole provider of the structure directing agent. The organic amine in the compound affects the framework density of the crystals and promotes the formation of a chabazite (CHA) type framework. After ageing for 1 h the AlPO-34 microspheres are formed due to the aggregation properties of the ionic liquid. The hierarchical mirosphere has a relatively high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area and a considerably uniform mesoporous channel network. The hierarchical AlPO-34 microspheres were used as absorbers of heavy metal cations and showed a higher loading capacity and distribution coefficient compared with the AlPO-34-NH.

Deep eutectic solvents for the preparation and post-synthetic modification of metal- and covalent organic frameworks

The use of deep eutectic solvents (DES) as media for the preparation of metal- and covalent organic frameworks (MOFs and COFs) and their post-synthetic modification towards composites is reviewed.

Investigations of the formation of zeolite ZSM-39 (MTN)

Crystallization of zeolite ZSM-39 (MTN), a clathrate and silicate analogue of the 17 Å cubic gas hydrate, was examined in a solvent system involving a tetramethylammonium chloride – 1,6-hexanediol deep eutectic mixture and significant amount of water. The crystallization process was followed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) techniques involving several nuclei such as 19F, 29Si, and 13C. The results indicate that the crystallization starts from the arrangement of amorphous Si–O–Si species around the tetramethylammonium ions and subsequent formation of the cages in the precursors similar to [51264] cages in the MTN topology. The larger [51264] cages are then connected via the smaller [512] cages containing the fluoride ions to form the final MTN structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses show that the crystal growth rates along <100> and <111> directions are roughly the same, suggesting that the (100) and (111) planes have similar stability under the crystallization conditions used. AFM study also shows that the freshly born nuclei on the (100) face are of a height of 2 nm, suggesting a layer by layer growth of the polyhedral crystal.