Abstract
Top-down synthesis of 2D materials from a parent 3D zeolite with subsequent post-synthetic modification is an interesting method for synthesis of new materials. Assembly, disassembly, organisation, reassembly (ADOR) processes towards novel materials based on the zeolite UTL are now established. Herein, we present the first study of these materials by atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM was used to monitor the ADOR process through observation of the changes in crystal surface and step height of the products. UTL surfaces were generally complex and contained grain boundaries and low-angle intergrowths, in addition to regular terraces. Hydrolysis of UTL to IPC-1P did not have adverse effects on the surfaces as compared to UTL. The layers remained intact after intercalation and calcination forming novel materials IPC-2 and IPC-4. Measured step heights gave good correlation with the X-ray diffraction determined d200 -spacing in these materials. However, swelling gave rise to significant changes to the surface topography, with significantly less regular terrace shapes. The pillared material yielded the roughest surface with ill-defined surface features. The results support a mechanism for the majority of these materials in which the UTL layers remain intact during the ADOR process as opposed to dissolving and recrystallising during each step.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.