Preparation for Size-Controlled MOR Zeolite Nanocrystal Using Water/Surfactant/Organic Solvent

Recently, the synthesis of nanometer-sized zeolite crystals has attracted considerable attention from many researchers. In this study, the preparation of Mordenite (MOR zeolite) nanocrystals via hydrothermal synthesis in water/surfactant/organic solvent was carried out. Polyoxyethylene-(15)-oleylether (O-15, non-ionic surfactant) and cyclohexane were employed as a surfactant and organic solvent, respectively. Interestingly, it was found that the crystal sizes and morphology of MOR zeolites depended on the surfactant concentration regardless of the same concentrations of Si and Al sources and template in the water solution. The MOR zeolite nanocrystals with average sizes of approximately 80 nm could be obtained. Moreover, the column-like morphology of MOR zeolite was also observed at a high surfactant concentration (0.75 mol/L). Accordingly, the crystal size and morphology of MOR zeolite can be controlled by the surfactant concentration. This result appears to be due to the difference in the nucleation and growth rates of MOR in the solution.