Researchers accelerate the discovery of stable, extra-large-pore nano zeolites with micro-electron diffraction

An international group of researchers has developped a new methodology to accelerate the discovery of stable, extra-large-pore nano zeolites using micro-electron diffraction. The paper has been published in Science and has the participation of Miguel Camblor, a researcher at the Materials Science Institute of Madrid (ICMM-CSIC).

The researchers say that stable zeolites with extra-large pores and nano dimensions that are capable of processing large molecules are in high demand but have been difficult to produce. Their complex structures and nanoscale crystal sizes present challenges for analysis using conventional x-ray diffraction techniques, leading to inefficiencies in material development. The work presented solves these challenges by describing "a method to rapidly screen the outcome of combinatorial zeolite syntheses aimed to extralargepore  materials," explained Camblor. The methodology afforded two new zeolites with extralarge pores and excelent catalytic activity for processing large organic molecules.

"We report NJU120-1 and NJU120-2, two robust and fully connected aluminosilicate nano zeolites featuring interconnected channel systems with extra-large 22-ring pores. NJU120-1 is a nanosheet with only about 8-nanometer thickness, corresponding to 1.5 unit cells, and NJU120-2 is a nanorod with 50 by 250 nanometer dimensions," says the paper.

The synthesis optimization of these zeolites was greatly accelerated through rapid structure determination with MicroED, revealing their multidimensional pore structures.