Ultrasmall Zeolite L Crystals Prepared from Highly Interdispersed Alkali‐Silicate Precursors

The preparation of nanosized zeolites is critical for applications where mass‐transport limitations within microporous networks hinder their performance. Often the ability to generate ultrasmall zeolite crystals is dependent upon the use of expensive organics with limited commercial relevance. Herein, we report the generation of zeolite L crystals with uniform sizes less than 30 nm using a facile, organic‐free method. Time‐resolved analysis of precursor assembly and evolution during nonclassical crystallization highlights key differences among silicon sources. Our findings reveal that a homogenous dispersion of potassium ions throughout silicate precursors leads to the formation of a metastable nonporous phase, which undergoes an intercrystalline transformation to zeolite L. The generation of highly interdispersed alkali‐silicate precursors is seemingly critical to enhancing the rate of nucleation and facilitating the formation of ultrasmall crystal.J.D.R. acknowledges support primarily from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences under Award Number DE-SC0014468. Additional support was provided by the Welch Foundation (Award E-1794). N.L. acknowledges support from the University of Alicante under the project GRE15-07

Ultrasmall Zeolite L Crystals Prepared from Highly Interdispersed Alkali‐Silicate Precursors

The preparation of nanosized zeolites is critical for applications where mass‐transport limitations within microporous networks hinder their performance. Often the ability to generate ultrasmall zeolite crystals is dependent upon the use of expensive organics with limited commercial relevance. Herein, we report the generation of zeolite L crystals with uniform sizes less than 30 nm using a facile, organic‐free method. Time‐resolved analysis of precursor assembly and evolution during nonclassical crystallization highlights key differences among silicon sources. Our findings reveal that a homogenous dispersion of potassium ions throughout silicate precursors leads to the formation of a metastable nonporous phase, which undergoes an intercrystalline transformation to zeolite L. The generation of highly interdispersed alkali‐silicate precursors is seemingly critical to enhancing the rate of nucleation and facilitating the formation of ultrasmall crystal.J.D.R. acknowledges support primarily from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences under Award Number DE-SC0014468. Additional support was provided by the Welch Foundation (Award E-1794). N.L. acknowledges support from the University of Alicante under the project GRE15-07

India

This article surveys significant legal developments in India during the year 2014