Effect of various inorganic cations (Li, Na, K and Cs) and silica sources on the synthesis of the silica analogue of zeolite NCL-1 (Si-NCL-1)

Abstract

The role of various inorganic cations such as Li, Na, K and Cs has been studied in the hydrothermal synthesis of the silica polymorph of zeolite NCL-1 (Si-NCL-1). The crystallization time decreases in the order (Cs + Na) > K > Na> (Li + Na) under otherwise identical gel composition and crystallization conditions. Further, the synthesis has been standardized using different silica sources including various fumed silicas with different surface area and particle size, through optimizing the OH −/Si molar ratio by adding the required amount of alkali hydroxide in the synthesis gel. Among different silica sources (fumed silicas, tetraethyl orthosilicate, silica sol etc.), fumed silicas with smaller particles (~0.007 μn) like Sigma S-5005, S-5130, and Cab-O-Sil-M5 were found to be quite effective and preferable for the synthesis of Si-NCL-1 molecular sieves. These materials were characterized through XRD, IR, SEM, sorption and surface area measurements.