Flexibility Of The Zeolite Rho Framework: The Redistribution Of Extra Framework Cations As A Function Of Temperature.

Abstract

ABSTRACTUpon heating Ba2+, Sr2+ and Cd2+-exchanged zeolite RHO, abrupt changes have been observed in the cubic unit cell parameters [1–3]. Calculations of the powder x-ray diffraction patterns indicate these changes result from relocation of the extra-framework cations. For Ba2+ and Sr2+-exchanged RHO, a shift from the single 8-ring (S8R) to the double 8-ring (D8R)-site is accompanied by contraction of the unit cell. However, for the Cd2+-exchanged material relocation from the S8R to the single 6-ring (S6R)-site coincides with cell expansion. Further, with relocation of Cd2+ the low temperature acentric (A) form is transformed to a centric (C) structure above 300°C. The shift of Cd2+ ion occurs over a distance of 5.7Å, the largest observed in a zeolite.