title: Size-dependent properties of nanocrystalline silicalite synthesized with systematically varied crystal sizes.
abstract: Silicalite-1 powders with crystal sizes ranging from 20 to 1000 nm were synthesized by systematically varying synthesis gel composition, pressure, temperature, and time duration. These samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption isotherms, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, and toluene adsorption. The effect of crystal size on the physical properties of crystals is observed, including a large increase of both total and external surface area when crystal size decreases. The relationship between particle size and external surface area was modeled by assuming a cubic crystal geometry. The nanosized silicalite samples with crystal sizes less than 100 nm have a higher adsorption capacity for toluene, showing promising potential for its application in volatile organic compound removal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Justice
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Grassian
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Larsen