Abstract
Electron microscopy combined with theoretical calculations was applied for the precise analysis of countercations within zeolitic nanocavities. We observed a light element (Na+) within an LTA type zeolite under low dose conditions. The aberration-corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (AC-HRTEM) mode has high sensitivity for small undulations in atomic potentials within a crystalline specimen. Two types of Na+ were distinguishably imaged by AC-HRTEM. Delocalized Na+ within an eight-membered ring (8MR) of LTA type zeolite could be imaged as a torus shape. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations supported such delocalization of the Na+. In contrast to Na+, Cs+ was located at the center of the 8MR because of its cationic size and the inner spacing of the 8MR.
Accepted Version (
Free)
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call