PNNL

Abstract

We will describe two topics in which structural information on complexes of zeolites is obtained from solid state NMR. In the first, recent work on the determination of the complete three-dimensional structures of the complexes of zeolites with organic sorbates will be briefly reported. The method has been optimized and the presentation of the results systematized. In the second topic, we will describe how solid state NMR can be used in the reverse sense to probe for the existence and structures of “nanocrystals” whose dimensions are too small to give proper Bragg scattering and which have been proposed to be the synthesis route for the formation of zeolite ZSM-5. In this study, the spectral parameters of “probe” template molecules are used as being diagnostic of whether the local environment of the framework has been formed. These are independent of the “crystal” dimensions and this general approach may be applicable to other similar “nano” systems.