CRYSTALZEO

Crystallography-assisted synthesis of zeolites with tailored acid site distributions

Coordinatore	EIDGENOESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZURICH    more  Organization address address: Raemistrasse 101 city: ZUERICH postcode: 8092 contact info Titolo: Dr. Nome: Lynne B. Cognome: Mccusker Email: send email Telefono: +41 44 632 3721 Fax: +41 44 632 1133
Nazionalità Coordinatore	Switzerland [CH]
Totale costo	178˙601 €
EC contributo	178˙601 €
Programma	FP7-PEOPLE Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)
Code Call	FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF
Funding Scheme	MC-IEF
Anno di inizio	2011
Periodo (anno-mese-giorno)	2011-11-01   -   2013-10-31

 Partecipanti

#	participant	country	role	EC contrib. [€]
1	EIDGENOESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZURICH  Organization address address: Raemistrasse 101 city: ZUERICH postcode: 8092 contact info Titolo: Dr. Nome: Lynne B. Cognome: Mccusker Email: send email Telefono: +41 44 632 3721 Fax: +41 44 632 1133	CH (ZUERICH)	coordinator	178˙601.60

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'This research deals with a long-term objective in zeolite science: the control of acid site distribution by varying synthesis parameters. In most catalytic reactions, the performance of zeolite-based catalysts depends on the distribution of the acid sites at the nanoscale level. The aluminium atoms in the zeolite framework structure are responsible for the formation of the acid sites, so if their distribution can be tailored so can that of the acid sites. In spite of intense interest, no method for controlling the distribution of acid sites has yet been developed. The synthesis strategy I developed during my PhD research has allowed, for the first time, the distribution of acid sites in the zeolite ferrierite to be modified as a function of the organic structure directing agents (SDAs) employed in its synthesis.

With the aim of converting this synthesis strategy into a general methodology applicable to any zeolite, an in-depth understanding of the interactions that are established between the organic SDA molecules and the oxygen atoms of the framework is required. This will allow the SDAs appropriate for the control of aluminium distribution in other zeolites to be chosen rationally. Crystallography is a powerful technique for this purpose, as it can provide detailed information about the location of the organic SDAs within the pores of the zeolite, as well as about the location of the framework silicon and oxygen atoms. This innovative use of crystallography, not just to study the zeolites obtained, but also as a tool to facilitate the design of optimal synthesis conditions for other zeolites, ensures that these syntheses will not be carried out in a trial and error basis. The candidate will perform crystallographic studies at the ETH Zürich (host institution), and this training will be a key to the development of her scientific career, as the expertise in structural characterisation of zeolites will be a perfect complement to her solid synthesis background.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Crystallographers can now determine details of the atomic structure of industrially relevant catalysts even if the crystals are so small that they have to be studied as a powder. This scientific advance will be used to help synthesise zeolite catalysts with improved performance.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Zeolite catalysts are porous, crystalline materials with relatively rigid, negatively charged aluminosilicate framework structures. They have applications in the petrochemistry and oil refining industries, as well as in the production of high-value chemical compounds.

The negative charge that is created by substituting aluminum for silicon in the framework can be balanced by a proton to form an active site for catalysis. A zeolite's efficiency depends on where these active sites are located in the porous network, and a synthesis strategy to direct the distribution of aluminum in the framework of the zeolite ferrierite was developed recently.

The EU-funded 'Crystallography-assisted synthesis of zeolites with tailored acid site distributions' (CRYSTALZEO) project has applied crystallography as a tool to characterize the location of the active sites in ferrierite samples synthesised using this strategy, which is based on a rational selection of organic cations for the synthesis.

This pioneering work will help to make zeolite synthesis a more rational process, in which the arrangement of active sites is tailored for specific catalytic reactions. As a result, the catalysts will be more highly selective, thereby minimising the amount of side products and reducing the deactivation rate.