title: In situ atomic force microscopy of zeolite A dissolution.
abstract: In the present study, the {100} surface of zeolite A was exposed to a range of solutions and the response was monitored in real-time by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM). The zeolite dissolves by a well-defined layer process that is characterised by uncorrelated dissolution of units that are structurally unconnected and terrace retreat when building units are inter-connected. This process was observed to be coupled with the formation of nano-squares that are stabilized at the zeolite surface for a period before complete dissolution. Theoretical work suggests that three terminating structures are central to understanding the dissolution mechanism. Stripping the surface of the secondary building unit, the single 4-ring, is predicted to be a rate-determining step in dissolution, but this process occurs by removing monomeric rather than oligomeric units.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Nanoporous Materials, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Chemistry Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Itzel Meza
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Slater
authors.forename: Jonathan R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Agger