The role of organic templates in controlling zeolite crystal morphology

摘要

We present an investigation of the role of organic templates in the post-nucleation crystal growth of nanoporous materials. Although templates are widely used to direct the synthesis towards a desired structure, we have endeavoured to investigate how these templates additionally influence the morphology of synthesised crystals. Recently developed computational approaches have allowed us to examine the role of tetrapropylammonium in crystal growth through investigation of its adsorption sites on different crystal surfaces of silicalite. We discuss how this template gives rise to the commonly observed 'coffin' shaped or hexagonal prismatic morphology and more generally, how templates can influence the growth of different crystal faces and their potential use to control zeolite morphology.