Surface Reconstruction and Templating for Zeolite Thin Film Synthesis Observed by Atomic Force Microscopy.

摘要

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) allows one to nondestructively image insulating surfaces in air or under liquids with molecular resolution. When applied to zeolites this technique allows observation of real time processes of crystal structure on the external surface of a single crystal under water, salt solutions or alcohols. It also offers the opportunity to directly observe surface reconstruction using solution cationic templates to generate new zeolitic thin film phases. In this study, AFM was used to monitor room temperature lattice reconstruction on the surface of a natural single crystal of stilbite using sodium ion templates to form a new periodic lattice. This is the first reported application of AFM for the investigation of reconstructive chemistry of a nonconducting surface.