NO2 and N2 sorption in MFI films with varying Si/Al and Na/Al ratios

Journal article, 2009

MFI crystals or films with controlled thicknesses and different Si/Al ratios were grown on seeded cordierite monoliths using a clear synthesis mixture with template or a template-free gel. The materials were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and sorption experiments using N 2 or NO 2 adsorbates. The films were uniformly distributed over the support surface. As expected, the specific monolayer N 2 adsorption capacity (mol/g zeolite ) was constant and independent of film thickness. The specific molar NO 2 adsorption capacity was significantly lower than the specific molar monolayer N 2 adsorption capacity, indicating that NO 2 is adsorbed at specific sites rather than evenly distributed in a monolayer. A number of NO 2 adsorption sites with varying strengths were observed by TPD experiments. At 30 °C, the amount of adsorbed NO 2 in the MFI films increased with increasing Al and Na content as opposed to the N 2 adsorption capacity, which was independent of these parameters. At 200 °C, the adsorbed amount of NO 2 was lower than at 30 °C and apparently independent on Al concentration in the Na-MFI films. These results indicate that different mechanisms are involved in NO 2 adsorption. NO 2 may adsorb weakly on Na + cations and also react with silanol groups and residual water in the zeolite, the latter two results in more strongly bound species. Upon NO 2 adsorption, formation of NO was observed. This work represents the first systematic study of the effects of Al and Na content on NO 2 adsorption in MFI films. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.