Driving the Crystallization of Zeolites

Abstract

The synthesis of zeolites with new structures and/or improved properties heavily relies on trial and error efforts that are not entirely blind, as the large empirical background accumulated for the last 7 decades can be, to some extent, rationalized and purposefully used to make new materials. The so-called structure-directing factors may be combined to promote (or frustrate) the crystallization of a particular structure. This personal account opens with the concept of geoinspiration, as suggested by Prof. Ruiz-Hitzky, and its application to zeolite synthesis. We then provide a concise overview of structure-direction in the synthesis of zeolites and detail examples, both new and from the literature, on how they can be combined to drive the crystallization towards (or away from) structures displaying particular features.

Keywords: Geoinspiration; Structure-direction; Synthesis; Zeolites.