Abstract:

Using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as a silicon source and tetrapropylammonium hydroxide (TPAOH) as a structure-directing agent, we prepared highly b-oriented silicalite-1 thin films with smooth surfaces and excellent continuity by optimizing the preparation parameters such as the gel composition and reaction time. The influence of gel composition and substrate surface roughness on the orientation, size, and distribution of the microcrystals in the silicalite-1 thin films were investigated. We achieved highly orientated silicalite-1 crystal growth on the substrates as well as excellent control of crystal size and filmmicrostructure. The preparation procedure reported here is feasible and has excellent reproducibility. In addition, the thin films were further characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).

Key words: Zeolite, Silicalite-1, Film, In situ hydrothermal crystallization, b-Orientation