Formation of Mg(OH)2 nanowhiskers on LTA zeolite surfaces using a sol–gel method

Liu, Junqiang; Bae, Tae-Hyun; Esekhile, Omoyemen; Nair, Sankar; Jones, Christopher W.; Koros, William J.

Formation of Mg(OH)2 nanowhiskers on LTA zeolite surfaces using a sol–gel method

Type

Article

Authors

Liu, Junqiang
Bae, Tae-Hyun
Esekhile, Omoyemen
Nair, Sankar
Jones, Christopher W.
Koros, William J.

KAUST Grant Number

KUS-I1-011-21

Online Publication Date

2011-09-20

Print Publication Date

2011-11

Date

2011-09-20

Abstract

A facile three step sol-gel-precipitation process is used to synthesize Mg(OH)2 nanowhiskers on micron-sized zeolite 5A particle surfaces at room temperature. The putative amorphous gelation product, Mg(OH) n(OR)2-n, forms first by a controlled hydrolysis and condensation reaction involving magnesium isopropoxide and water, ultimately leading to precipitation to form Mg(OH)2 structures on the zeolite surface. The optimum conditions for one dimensional Mg(OH)2 whisker formation are found to be six times the stoichiometric amount of water using 1 M HCl as the catalyst for the sol-gel reaction. The one-dimensional Mg(OH) 2 whiskers have an average diameter of 5-10 nm and length of 50-100 nm. The zeolite micropores are not affected by the Mg(OH)2 whiskers formed on the surface. The surface roughened zeolite 5A, with a Mg(OH) 2 content of about 9 wt%, showed improved adhesion between the zeolite and the polymer in a mixed-matrix composite membrane. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Citation

Liu J, Bae T-H, Esekhile O, Nair S, Jones CW, et al. (2011) Formation of Mg(OH)2 nanowhiskers on LTA zeolite surfaces using a sol–gel method. Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology 60: 189–197. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10971-011-2578-5.

Acknowledgements

The authors want to thank ExxonMobil and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Award No.KUS-I1-011-21) for sponsoring this research. We are also grateful to Harry Deckman, Edward Corcoran and Ben McCool for helpful suggestions.