Synthesis of Silicalite-1 in Bicontinuous Microemulsion Containing AOT.

Abstract

Silicalite-1 has been hydrothermally synthesized in a bicontinuous microemulsion of tetraethylenepentamine-sodium bis(2-ethylhexly) sulfosuccinate (AOT)-water system containing fluoride ions. The presence of AOT (an anionic surfactant) has been found to be essential for the formation of Silicalite-1 in bulk tetraethylene pentamine solvent. The tetrahedral binding sites of silicon atom have been confirmed by 29Si magic angle spinning NMR and FT-IR spectra. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis studies on as-synthesized Silicalite-1 and X-ray diffraction pattern for calcined product established their structural stability. The scanning electron micrographs show the twinned and uni..