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Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 29 ( 1999) 405–412 Synthesis of OFF-type zeolite in a quasi non aqueous medium: structure directing role of p-dioxane and alkaline cations A. Matijasic, J. Patarin * Laboratoire de Mate ´riaux Mine ´raux, ENSCMu, Universite ´ de Haute Alsace, UPRES-A 7016, 3 rue Alfred Werner, F-68093 Mulhouse Cedex, France Received 25 September 1998; received in revised form 7 December 1998; accepted 8 December 1998 Abstract Syntheses were performed at 150°C with the starting composition 10 SiO 2 :1 Al 2 O 3 :a Na 2 O:b A 2 O:cp-dioxane:d H 2 O where A represents an alkaline cation ( K, Rb, Cs and Li). In the presence of potassium a pure OFF-type zeolite is obtained for a Na/K molar ratio equal to 2, independently of the p-dioxane content. The OFF-type solids were characterized by XRD, SEM 29Si and 27Al MAS NMR spectroscopy. Using 13C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy, thermal and chemical analysis, one molecule of p-dioxane was found per unit cell; it is probably trapped in the gmelinite cage (1 cage per unit cell ) as a complex with sodium. Indeed, in the absence of sodium, an LTL-type zeolite free of p-dioxane crystallizes. Concerning the other alkaline cations (Rb, Cs and Li), an OFF-type material was obtained with rubidium, cesium directs the synthesis toward analcime, whereas no real structure-directing e ect was observed for lithium. Indeed, in the latter case, a mixture of GIS-, MAZ-, MOR- or SOD-type zeolites was obtained. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: OFF-type zeolite; Quasi non-aqueous medium; Structure-directing agent; Synthesis 1. Introduction and therefore the interaction capacity with the reacting species, leading to a modification of the crystallization process. In fact, the crystallization Hydrothermal treatment (water as solvent) is depends on the hydrogen-bonding capacity, the the classical route for the synthesis of zeolites [1]. viscosity and the basicity of the solvent as well as However, in recent years several zeolites and zeo- on the starting chemical composition [6]. An lites-like materials have also been obtained from increase in viscosity of the solvent leads to an non-aqueous or quasi non-aqueous mixtures. This increase in crystallization time. This is because the was the case, for instance, for sodalite [2], rate of crystal growth is directly proportional to silicalite-1 [3], ZSM-39 [3], ZSM-48 [3] or omega the di usion constant for mass transfer, which is [ 4 ] but also for aluminophosphates such as JDF-20 inversely proportional to the viscosity. Organic [5]. The use of such non-aqueous media leads to solvents can be classified in four categories based new crystallization pathways. The addition of on their ability to form hydrogen bonds [7]: high, organic solvents changes the viscosity of the media high-medium, low-medium and non-hydrogen- bonding. In the first group, i.e. high hydrogen- * Corresponding author. Tel.: +33 3 8942 7020; bonding capacity, the solvent prevents the frame- Fax: +33 3 8942 8730; E-mail address: [email protected] (J. Patarin) work units from interacting with the template 1387-1811/99/$ – see front matter © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S1387-1811(99)00009-8

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Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 29 (1999) 405–412

Synthesis of OFF-type zeolite in a quasi non aqueous medium:structure directing role of p-dioxane and alkaline cations

A. Matijasic, J. Patarin *Laboratoire de Materiaux Mineraux, ENSCMu, Universite de Haute Alsace, UPRES-A 7016, 3 rue Alfred Werner,

F-68093 Mulhouse Cedex, France

Received 25 September 1998; received in revised form 7 December 1998; accepted 8 December 1998

Abstract

Syntheses were performed at 150°C with the starting composition 10 SiO2:1 Al2O3:a Na2O:b A2O:c p-dioxane:dH2O where A represents an alkaline cation (K, Rb, Cs and Li). In the presence of potassium a pure OFF-type zeoliteis obtained for a Na/K molar ratio equal to 2, independently of the p-dioxane content. The OFF-type solids werecharacterized by XRD, SEM 29Si and 27Al MAS NMR spectroscopy. Using 13C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy,thermal and chemical analysis, one molecule of p-dioxane was found per unit cell; it is probably trapped in thegmelinite cage (1 cage per unit cell ) as a complex with sodium. Indeed, in the absence of sodium, an LTL-type zeolitefree of p-dioxane crystallizes. Concerning the other alkaline cations (Rb, Cs and Li), an OFF-type material wasobtained with rubidium, cesium directs the synthesis toward analcime, whereas no real structure-directing effect wasobserved for lithium. Indeed, in the latter case, a mixture of GIS-, MAZ-, MOR- or SOD-type zeolites was obtained.© 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: OFF-type zeolite; Quasi non-aqueous medium; Structure-directing agent; Synthesis

1. Introduction and therefore the interaction capacity with thereacting species, leading to a modification of thecrystallization process. In fact, the crystallizationHydrothermal treatment (water as solvent) isdepends on the hydrogen-bonding capacity, thethe classical route for the synthesis of zeolites [1].viscosity and the basicity of the solvent as well asHowever, in recent years several zeolites and zeo-on the starting chemical composition [6 ]. Anlites-like materials have also been obtained fromincrease in viscosity of the solvent leads to annon-aqueous or quasi non-aqueous mixtures. Thisincrease in crystallization time. This is because thewas the case, for instance, for sodalite [2],rate of crystal growth is directly proportional tosilicalite-1 [3], ZSM-39 [3], ZSM-48 [3] or omegathe diffusion constant for mass transfer, which is[4] but also for aluminophosphates such as JDF-20inversely proportional to the viscosity. Organic[5]. The use of such non-aqueous media leads tosolvents can be classified in four categories basednew crystallization pathways. The addition ofon their ability to form hydrogen bonds [7]: high,organic solvents changes the viscosity of the mediahigh-medium, low-medium and non-hydrogen-bonding. In the first group, i.e. high hydrogen-* Corresponding author. Tel.: +33 3 8942 7020;bonding capacity, the solvent prevents the frame-Fax: +33 3 8942 8730;

E-mail address: [email protected] (J. Patarin) work units from interacting with the template

1387-1811/99/$ – see front matter © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.PII: S1387-1811 ( 99 ) 00009-8

406 A. Matijasic, J. Patarin / Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 29 (1999) 405–412

because the dissolution of silica is hindered and no The sources of alkaline cations were KOH(Prolabo, 86% KOH ), Rb2O (Ventron, 99%),crystalline product is obtained. For high–medium

and low–medium hydrogen-bonding solvents, the LiOH · H2O (Fluka, 99%) and CsOH · H2O(Aldrich, 99%).interactions are easier; they are for this reason more

efficient in synthesis. Finally, in the case of non-hydrogen-bonding solvents, the silica particles 2.2. Synthesis procedureaggregate and form a dense silica network.

In some cases the organic solvent can influence The samples were obtained by solvothermalthe chemical composition of the material obtained synthesis at 150°C. The molar composition ofand plays a structure-directing role besides its the starting mixture was 10 SiO2:1 Al2O3:asolvating role. Thus, a pure silica sodalite has been Na2O:b A2O:c p-dioxane:d H2O, with a+b=2.5synthesized in the presence of ethylene glycol [2] and A representing K, Rb, Cs or Li. c and d arewhich was found to be trapped inside the sodalite expressed as wt.% with c+d=100. The totalcages of the structure. amount of solvent, on a mass basis, was equal to

Recently, MAZ-type zeolite was prepared using 200 mol of water.glycerol [8] or p-dioxane [4] as the main solvent The starting mixture was prepared by dissolvingwith no other organic species. In an aqueous NaOH and the source of alkaline cation in watermedium such a zeolite was prepared in the presence under stirring. Then p-dioxane was added and theof sodium and tetramethylammonium (TMA+) sodium aluminate. Finally, the silica source wascations [9], the latter being located inside the rapidly introduced into the thoroughly stirred solu-gmelinite cages of the structure. It seems that for tion. For a high organic content (>60 wt.%) fumedthe MAZ-type zeolite synthesized in the presence silica was used, whereas for a low organic contentof p-dioxane, the cyclic ether is also trapped in the (<60 wt.%) silica sol was employed.same cages probably forming a complex with After aging for 24 h under magnetic stirring,sodium thus mimicking the role of TMA+ [10]. the gels were transferred into PTFE-lined stainless

It is well known that in the aqueous system steel autoclaves. The crystallization was carriedSiO2–Al2O3–H2O–K2O, the presence of potassium out at 150°C under static conditions. After 6 dayscations leads to the formation of KFI-, LTL- and the products were recovered, washed with distilledOFF-type zeolites. Recently, the latter phase was water until neutral pH and then dried at 60°Calso obtained by Yang et al. [11] using glycerol as overnight.solvent and in the presence of potassium. In the As an example, for sample A (Table 1) 0.64 gpresent work, the influence of the nature of the of NaOH and 0.34 g of KOH was mixed withalkaline cation (mainly potassium) was studied for 3.6 g of water. Then 23 g of p-dioxane and 1.36 galuminosilicate gels prepared in the presence of of sodium aluminate were successively added. Atvarious amounts of p-dioxane. The products last 4.96 g of Ludox AS-40 were introducedobtained were characterized by several techniques under stirring.such as XRD, TG/DSC, elemental analysis, SEM In some cases, particularly for p-dioxane-richand solid-state NMR spectroscopy. mixtures, a phase separation was observed leading

to two liquid phases.

2. Experimental2.3. Thermal analysis

2.1. ReactantsPrior to analysis, the solids were kept in a wet

atmosphere over a saturated aqueous solution ofThe reactants were p-dioxane (Aldrich, 99.8%),sodium aluminate (Carlo Erba, 56% Al2O3, 37% NH4Cl (P/P0=0.85) for 24 h to set the hydration

state. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) andNa2O), sodium hydroxide (Fluka p.a.). Twodifferent types of silica sources were employed; thermogravimetric (TG) analyses were performed

on a Setaram TG DSC 111 microanalyser. Thefumed silica (Zeosil, 9.7% H2O) or a silica sol(Ludox AS-40, 40% SiO2, 60% H2O). samples were heated under air at 6°C min−1.

407A. Matijasic, J. Patarin / Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 29 (1999) 405–412

Table 1Typical synthesis conditions and products obtained in the presence of p-dioxane. 10 SiO2:1 Al2O3:a Na2O:b K2O:c p-dioxane:d H2O, a+b=2.5, c and d are expressed as wt.% with c+d=100

Sample Molar reaction mixture composition Solvent (wt.%) Products

a Na2O b K2O c p-dioxane d H2O

A 2.15 0.35 85 15 OFFB 1.87 0.62 85 15 OFFC 0 2.5 85 15 LTLDa 3.34 1.11 10 90 OFFE 1.67 0.83 85 15 OFFF 0 2.5 10 90 LTLG 1.67 0.83 10 90 OFFH 1.87 0.62 35 65 OFF+ imp.bI 1.87 0.62 60 40 OFF

a For this sample the OH−/Si molar ratio was equal to 0.9 as in Ref. [10].b Impurity, not identified.

Table 22.4. Powder X-ray diffractionRecording conditions of the MAS and CP MAS NMR spectra

The powder X-ray diffraction patterns were 29Si 27Al 13Cobtained on a STOE STADI-P diffractometer equ-

Chemical shift standard TMS Al(H2O)3+6 TMSipped with a curved germanium (111) primaryFrequency (MHz) 59.63 104.26 75.47monochromator and a linear position-sensitiveRecycle time (s) 2 1 8

detector using Cu Ka1 radiation. The unit cell Pulse width (10−6 s) 4 0.7 6.5parameters were refined using the STOE software Contact time (10−3 s) – – 1

Spinning rate (Hz) 4100 10000 3600program package, silicon being used as an internalNumber of scans 440 65 1200standard.

2.5. Chemical analysis relation [12] was used to determine the Si/Al ratio:

The analysis of Si and Al was performed byatomic absorption spectroscopy. The amount of Si

Al=

∑n=04

IT1

Si(nAl )+IT2

Si(nAl )

∑n=04

0.25n[IT1

Si(nAl )+IT2

Si(nAl )]water and organic species of the as-made materialswas determined by thermogravimetry. Carbonanalysis was also performed by coulometric deter-

where ITi

Si(nAl ) are the intensities of the resonancemination after calcination of the samples at 1050°Clines resulting from silicon atoms occupyingunder air.Ti-type tetrahedral sites (i=1 or 2) and having n

aluminum nearest neighbors (n=0, 1, 2, 3 or 4).2.6. 29Si, 27Al and 13C solid-state magic anglespinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy

3. Results and discussionThe 29Si MAS and 13C CP MAS NMR spectrawere recorded on a Bruker MSL 300 and the 27Al 3.1. Synthesis, crystal morphology and chemicalMAS spectra on a Bruker DSX 400 spectrometer; compositionthe recording conditions are given in Table 2.

As the OFF-type structure shows two distinct In Table 1 the typical synthesis examples arereported using a mixture of potassium and sodiumcrystallographic sites, T1 and T2, the following

408 A. Matijasic, J. Patarin / Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 29 (1999) 405–412

as alkaline cations in the presence of various i.e., 85 wt.%, and assuming that the crystallizationprocess occurs in the aqueous phase, the alkalinityamounts of p-dioxane and for a OH−/Si molar

ratio equal to 0.5. A better representation of the of the latter (minor phase compared with theorganic phase) is probably higher than would beresults obtained is given in Figure 1.

From Fig. 1 and Table 1 it is clear that at a expected in the absence of phase separation, thusleading (in the presence of sodium (Na/K>0)) tohigh p-dioxane content (85 wt.%) and in the pres-

ence of Na and whatever the Na/K molar ratio, a the formation of OFF-type zeolite. In contrast, fora low organic content (10 wt.%), the alkalinity ofpure OFF-type material is obtained (samples A,

B, E). However, in the absence of Na an LTL- the aqueous phase is comparatively low, favoringthe formation of materials such as mordenite,type material crystallizes independent of the p-

dioxane content in the starting mixture (samples which is known to crystallize at a relatively lowalkalinity. This is confirmed by the fact that anC and F). For low Na/K molar ratios, the use of

p-dioxane as a structure-directing agent (10 wt.%) OFF-type material is obtained (sample D, Table 1)at higher alkalinity (OH−/Si=0.9) even at a lowleads to offretite (sample G). When the sodium

content increases, a mixture of MOR-, GIS- and p-dioxane content (10 wt.%) [10].As an example, the XRD pattern of the OFF-OFF-type zeolites is observed. For intermediate

concentrations of the cyclic ether in the starting type sample A is given in Fig. 2. This pattern canbe unambiguously indexed in the hexagonal sym-gel, the results obtained depend on the Na/K ratio.

A potassium-rich mixture (Na/K≤3) leads to metry with the unit-cell parameters a=b=13.265(1) A, c=7.550(1) A.offretite (samples H and I ), whereas, as previously

reported [4], an MAZ-type zeolite appears as The fact that the crystallization process occursin the aqueous phase is confirmed by the compari-by-product for sodium-rich gels (Na/K#6). Even

if the phase separation process was only observed son of the scanning electron micrographs of theoffretite samples prepared at high (85 wt.%, samplein some cases (see Section 2), the results seem to

show that this phenomenon occurs systematically A, Fig. 3a) and low (10 wt.%, sample G, Fig. 3b)p-dioxane content. At 10 wt.% p-dioxane, isolatedwhen the p-dioxane content in the gel is too high.

Under these conditions (high p-dioxane contents), crystals were obtained with a morphology similarto that of samples prepared by hydrothermal syn-thesis, i.e. hexagonal rod-like with a size rangingfrom 8 to 15 mm. However, at 85 wt.% p-dioxane,the crystals display a similar morphology (hexago-nal prisms) but are mainly aggregated. Such aggre-

Fig. 1. Type of products obtained as a function of the Na/Kstarting molar ratio and the solvent composition (the majority

Fig. 2. Powder XRD pattern of the OFF-type sample Aphase is underlined and the reference of the sample is indicatedin parentheses). (Cu Ka1).

409A. Matijasic, J. Patarin / Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 29 (1999) 405–412

Table 3Influence of the nature of the alkaline cations on the productsobtained for syntheses performed in the presence of tetramethyl-ammonium cations [13] and p-dioxane (this work) respectively

TMA+ [13] p-dioxane (this work)

TMA+, K+�OFF p-dioxane, K+�LTLTMA+, K+, Na+�OFF, p-dioxane, K+, Na+:

MAZ p-dioxane>60 wt.%�OFFp-dioxane<60 wt.%�OFF(Na/K≤3) or OFF+MAZ(Na/K>3)

TMA+, Na+�MAZ p-dioxane, Na+�MAZ [4,10]

a pure MAZ-type zeolite crystallizes, whereas, inthe presence of potassium, a pure OFF-type mate-rial is obtained. When both sodium and potassiumcations are present, the final product correspondsto a mixture of OFF- and MAZ-type materials.Concerning the syntheses performed in the pres-ence of p-dioxane as solvent ( p-dioxane>60 wt.%), it appears clearly that the key-point for forming offretite is the simultaneouspresence of potassium cations and the sodium/p-dioxane pair (see Table 3), the latter structuringthe MAZ-type [4,10] as well as the OFF-typezeolites. Both structures are characterized by thepresence of gmelinite cages (one per unit cell ). Inthe case of the MAZ-type phase, Zones [10] sug-gested that a sodium/p-dioxane complex might beincorporated in these cages, thus mimicking the

(a)

(b)

Fig. 3. Scanning electron micrographs of OFF-type samples: (a) role of the tetramethylammonium (TMA+) cationsample A; (b) sample G. in hydrothermal synthesis.

The chemical analysis (Table 4) performed onpure offretite samples shows undoubtedly the pres-gates are typical of crystals growing in a very

concentrated medium, which is the case for ence of p-dioxane in the as-synthesized materials.This is also confirmed by thermal analysis (seesamples A, B and E.

A major point for the synthesis of OFF-type below). Whatever the Na/K molar ratio, aboutone molecule of p-dioxane per unit cell is presentzeolite with p-dioxane as main solvent (85 wt.%)

is that sodium is needed besides potassium in the in the OFF-type samples, which is in goodagreement with the location of the organic speciesstarting mixtures. Indeed, as was seen above, in

the absence of sodium (Na/K molar ratio equal in the gmelinite cages (one per unit cell ).Nevertheless, whatever the p-dioxane content into 0), an LTL-type zeolite free of p-dioxane crystal-

lizes (sample C, Table 1). The structure-directing the starting mixture, the sodium content in theas-synthesized materials is relatively high and, ineffect of the alkaline cation (Na+, K+) in TMA-

containing aqueous aluminosilicate gels was all cases, higher than would be expected if thesodium cations were present only as sodium/p-studied by Breck [13], and the main results are

summarized in Table 3. In the presence of sodium, dioxane complexes.

410 A. Matijasic, J. Patarin / Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 29 (1999) 405–412

Table 4Chemical composition (wt.%) of the as-synthesized OFF-type samples

Sample Si Al K Na H2O Organic species Si/Al molar ratio p-Dioxane/unit cell

TGa CAb NMRc CAb

A 25.2 7.4 3.4 6.4 11.0 4.0 3.6 2.9 3.4 1B 24.6 7.5 5.6 4.2 11.2 3.8 3.2 3.0 3.3 1

a Determined by thermogravimetric analysis.b Determined by chemical analysis.c Determined by 29Si MAS NMR spectroscopy.

The results obtained show that an organic resolution of the peaks, the signal due toSi(0Al )T

2

is not observed, thus leading to anmedium does not affect the Si/Al molar ratio ofthe zeolitic samples. The latter, close to 3.4, is underestimation of the Si/Al ratio (Table 4) as

determined from the relation given in the experi-quite similar to that obtained for materials pre-pared in aqueous medium with TMA as template mental section. This phenomenon of underestima-

tion has been reported previously in the literature[14].[16 ].

The 27Al NMR spectrum of the as-synthesized3.2. 29Si, 27Al and 13C solid-state NMRspectroscopy OFF-material (sample A), reported in Fig. 5, dis-

plays one main component at 57.5 ppm corre-sponding to aluminum in a four-fold coordination.The 29Si NMR spectrum (Fig. 4) of sample A

is relatively noisy and consists of three peaks A very small component at 10 ppm, which isprobably due to traces of amorphous material, iswith the chemical shifts −97.9, −102.9 and

−106.9 ppm, respectively. According to also observed. The latter component disappearsafter calcination and only one signal is observedEngelhardt and Michel [12], and Occelli et al. [15]

these three components can be assigned to in the spectrum of the calcined and fully rehydratedsample (Fig. 5b).Si(3Al )T

2

+Si(2Al )T1

, Si(2Al )T2

+Si(1Al )T1

andSi(1Al )T

2

+Si(0Al )T1

groups. Because of the low The 13C CP MAS NMR spectrum of theas-synthesized OFF-type zeolite (Fig. 6) consistsof a single but relatively broad resonance at68.7 ppm (reference TMS). Such a chemical shiftis in good agreement with that determined by 13Cliquid NMR spectroscopy for the p-dioxane mole-cule. The broadness of this signal might be due tothe interactions of p-dioxane with sodium cations,reinforcing the hypothesis of the presence of asodium/p-dioxane complex in the OFF-typematerials.

3.3. Thermal analysis

The DSC and TG curves of the as-synthesizedsample A performed under air are given in Fig. 7.Two steps of weight losses are observed on theTG curve, at 200 and 450°C, respectively. The first

Fig. 4. 29Si MAS NMR spectrum of the OFF-type sample A. one (10.9 wt.%) corresponds to the removal of

411A. Matijasic, J. Patarin / Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 29 (1999) 405–412

Fig. 7. Thermal analysis of the OFF-type sample A performedunder air: (a) TG; (b) DSC.

adsorbed water and leads to an endothermic peakon the DSC curve. The second weight loss (7 wt.%)which corresponds to an exothermic peak, with amaximum at 450°C on the DSC curve, is due tothe decomposition of the organic species occludedin the structure.

3.4. Synthesis from p-dioxane-containingaluminosilicate gels in the presence of other alkalinecations (Na, Rb; Na, Cs; Na, Li)

Fig. 5. 27Al MAS NMR spectra of the OFF-type sample A: (a)as synthesized; (b) calcined. The different results obtained are summarized

in Table 5. In the presence of rubidium and for aNa/Rb molar ratio in the starting mixture close to3, a pure OFF-type material is obtained whateverthe p-dioxane content. For a higher ratio

Table 5Synthesis from p-dioxane-containing aluminosilicate gels in thepresence of other alkaline cations (Na, Rb; Na, Cs; Na, Li),10 SiO2:1 Al2O3:a Na2O:b A2O:c p-dioxane:d H2O, a+b=2.5,c and d are expressed as wt.% with c+d=100

A Na/A molar Product formed versus p-dioxane contentratio

c=10 wt.% c=85 wt.%

Rb 6 OFF + MAZ OFF + MAZ (e)3 OFF OFF

Cs 6 MAZa+ ANA ANA + MAZ3 ANA+ MAZ ANA

Li 6 MOR + GIS MAZ + SOD2 MOR + MAZ Not identified

Fig. 6. 13C CP MAS NMR spectrum of the OFF-type sample A. a The underlined phases are the majority phases.

412 A. Matijasic, J. Patarin / Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 29 (1999) 405–412

(Na/Rb=6), similar results are observed; never- was also studied. An OFF-type material wasobtained with rubidium, while cesium directs thetheless, mazzite co-crystallizes a at low p-dioxane

content. Such a result was expected since the synthesis toward analcime. No real structure-directing effect was observed for lithium, a mixtureaffinity of the OFF-type structure for the rubidium

cation is well documented in the literature [10,11]. of GIS-, MAZ-, MOR- or SOD-type zeolites beingobtained.The presence of cesium cations in the p-dioxane-

containing aluminosilicate gels seems to favor theformation of ANA-type zeolite. The structure-directing effect increases with the Cs content, a Acknowledgementpure ANA-type phase being obtained for a Na/Csmolar ratio close to 3. The authors would like to thank Dr. H. Kessler

for fruitful discussions.In the case of lithium, no specific structure-directing effect is observed whatever the organiccontent and the Na/Li molar ratio. Indeed, amixture of GIS-, MAZ-, MOR- or SOD-type Referenceszeolites was obtained.

[1] R.M Barrer, Hydrothermal Chemistry in Zeolites, Aca-demic Press, London, 1982.

[2] D.M. Bibby, N.I. Baxter, D. Grant-Taylor, L.M. Parker,Zeolite Synthesis, M.L. Occelli, H.E. Robinson (Eds.),

4. Conclusion ACS Symp. Ser. 398 (1989) 209.[3] Q.S. Huo, S.H. Feng, R.R. Xue, J. Chem. Soc., Chem.

Commun. (1988) 1486.The synthesis of zeolite materials in p-dioxane[4] B. De Witte, J. Patarin, J.L. Guth, T. Cholley, Micro-media was investigated. For the composition 10

porous Mater. 10 (1997) 247.SiO2:1 Al2O3:a Na2O:b A2O:c p-dioxane:d H2O,[5] Q. Huo, R. Xu, S. Li, Z. Ma, J.M. Thomas, R.H. Jones,

where A represents an alkaline cation ( K, Rb, Cs A.M. Chippindale, J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun.and Li), the products obtained depend strongly (1992) 875.

[6 ] S. Nadimi, S. Olivier, A. Kuperman, A. Lough, G.A. Ozin,on the nature of the alkaline cation. In the presenceJ.M. Garces, M.M. Olken, P. Rudolf, in: Zeolites andof potassium and for a Na/K molar ratio lowerRelated Microporous Materials: State of the Art, J.than 3, a pure OFF-type zeolite was obtainedWeitkamp, H.G. Karge, H. Pfeifer, W. Holderich

whatever the p-dioxane content. Nevertheless, in (Eds.), Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis Vol. 84,the absence of sodium cations (Na/K#0), a pure Part A, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1994, p. 93.

[7] R.E. Morris, S.J. Weigel, Chem. Soc. Rev. 26 (1997) 309.LTL-type phase free of p-dioxane crystallizes. As[8] S. Yang, N.P. Evmiridis, in: Zeolite and Related Micro-was previously reported for the synthesis of MAZ-

porous Materials, J. Weitkamp, H.G. Karge, H. Pfeifer,type zeolite [4], the key-point for the synthesis ofW. Holderich (Eds.), Studies in Surface Science and Catal-

an OFF-type material performed in a p-dioxane ysis Vol. 84, Part A , Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1994, p. 155.medium seems to be the formation of a sodium/p- [9] R. Aiello, R.M. Barrer, J. Chem. Soc. A (1970) 1470.

[10] S.I. Zones, in: M.L. Occelli, H. Kessler (Eds.), Synthesisdioxane complex, which acts as a template for theof Porous Materials, Zeolites, Clays and Nanostructures,gmelinite cages of the structure, thus mimickingDekker, New York, 1996, p. 93.the role of the tetramethylammonium (TMA+)

[11] S. Yang, N.P. Evmiridis, Microporous Mater. 6 (1996) 19.cations in the hydrothermal synthesis. Indeed, one [12] G. Engelhardt, D. Michel, High Resolution Solid Statep-dioxane molecule per unit cell, probably located NMR of Silicates and Zeolites, Wiley, Chichester, 1987.

[13] D.W. Breck, Zeolite Molecular Sieves, Wiley, New York,in the gmelinite cages (1 per unit cell ), was found1974.in the as-synthesized sample. Moreover, the results

[14] R. Aiello, R.M. Barrer, J.A. Davies, I.S. Kerr, Trans. Fara-seem to show that the crystallization process occursday Soc. 66 (1970) 1610.

essentially in the aqueous phase. [15] M.L. Occelli, G.P. Ritz, P.S. Iyer, R.D. Walker, B.C.The presence of other cations such as rubidium, Gerstein, Zeolites 9 (1989) 104.

[16 ] J.H. Raeder, Zeolites 4 (1984) 311.cesium and lithium, in such an organic medium,