Zeolite membranes patterned

Figure 10.3 SEM cross-section image and XRD spectrum fore-oriented (a), h,0,h-oriented (b), and random (template-free) (c) MFI-type zeolite membranes along with associated XRD patterns (d, e, f) [12],...

Molecular models can considerably impact the chemical process industry. Obviously, numerous problems fall beyond the realm of conventional molecular simulation (see the example above on zeolitic membranes). Examples include dynamics of protein folding, diffusion through microporous membranes and human cells, formation of quantum dots in heteroepitaxial growth of semiconductors, and pattern formation on catalyst surfaces. 

Zeolite Membranes Zeolites are porous aluminosilicate crystals composed of Si04 and AIO4 tetrahedra arranged in various geometric patterns. The tetrahedra arc... 

MicrocrystalUne zeolites such as beta zeolite suffer from calcination. The crystallinity is decreased and the framework can be notably dealuminated by the steam generated [175]. Potential Br0nsted catalytic sites are lost and heteroatoms migrate to extra-framework positions, leading to a decrease in catalytic performance. Nanocrystals and ultrafine zeolite particles display aggregation issues, difficulties in regeneration, and low thermal and hydrothermal stabilities. Therefore, calcination is sometimes not the optimal protocol to activate such systems. Application of zeolites for coatings, patterned thin-films, and membranes usually is associated with defects and cracks upon template removal. 

Figure 10.6 shows the XRD pattern of the zeolite-based ceramic membrane produced by sintering a clinoptilolite powder (dv 500 pm) at 800°C for 2h, covered with an AlP04-5 molecular sieve produced with the methodology previously described. 

It is evident that the ceramic membrane, which is represented in the XRD pattern (see Figure 10.6) by the amorphous component of the XRD profile, was covered by the AlP04-5 molecular sieve, since the crystalline component of the obtained XRD pattern fairly well coincides with the standards reported in the literature [107]. Consequently, the porous support was successfully coated with a zeolite layer, which was shaped by the hydrothermal process as previously described. Thus, a composite membrane, that is, an AlP04-5 molecular sieve thin film zeolite-based ceramic, was produced. 

Deuterium NMR spectroscopy has been employed to probe the interaction between perdeuteriated n-alkanes and host molecules such as liquid crystals, urea crystals, lipid bilayers or zeolites. In general, the temperature-dependent quadrupolar splitting of the deuterium signals is interpreted in terms of conformation and ordering of the alkane chains. For lipid bilayers these studies are of interest in connection with the anaesthetic properties of alkanes. Phospatidylcholine bilayer membranes were chosen as a model. The solubilities of n-alkanes as determined by NMR were found to be dependent on both the membrane- and alkane-chain length ". The complex signal patterns which show the dynamic processes of perdeuteriated hexane in a multilayer is reproduced in Figure 3 ... 

---