Advanced adsorbents for the separation of the ortho- and para-hydrogen spin isomers at cryogenic temperatures

Improved adsorbent types and compositions have been developed for the challenging separation of the ortho- and para-hydrogen spin isomers at 77 K. From a systematic study of commercially available adsorbent types, it has been found that zeolites of type X offer the largest capacity and selectivity towards ortho-hydrogen and that performance is significantly impacted by the cation type and the number of cations present in the zeolite. For the present separation improved performance was obtained with larger Group I cations, especially K and Cs. Another key property of the adsorbents addressed in the present work is the need to control the adsorbent composition to avoid unwanted catalytic conversion of the para- to ortho-hydrogen. A common source of unwanted catalytic activity in many adsorbent compositions was identified as the presence of unwanted transition metal impurities, especially iron associated with the natural clays, commonly employed as binding agents in the commercial agglomerated zeolite products. To avoid this, equivalent adsorbent compositions were agglomerated instead using colloidal silica binding agents which successfully minimize back conversion of the para- to ortho-hydrogen and produced adsorbents with higher capacities and selectivities for the ortho component at the test temperature of 77 K. These advanced adsorbents can be applied in more efficient hydrogen liquefaction processes.     

The structure and adsorption properties of colloidal silica used in toothpastes

The dispersity, specific surface area, porosity, and pore size distribution are determined for samples of colloidal silica and calcium o-phosphate, toothpaste constituents. The results obtained show that adsorbents have the developed mesoporous structure. It was found that the adsorption of sodium lauryl sulfate and a nonionic surfactant, glyceryl monocaprylate, at the aqueous surfactant solution-colloidal silica interface is small and has the unusual character. The reasons for a low adsorption of surfactants and their mixtures on the surface of the studied adsorbents are discussed.     

Direct Synthesis of An Aluminosilicate POS Zeolite with Intersecting 12×11×11-Member-Ring Pore Channels by Using a Designed Organic Structure-Directing Agent

Large and extra-large pore zeolites have been widely applied in industrial areas as catalysts, adsorbents, etc. Among them, silica and/or aluminosilicate zeolites have been attracted great attention due to their excellent hydrothermal stability and strong acidity. However, a great deal of zeolite structures are still not available in the form of silica and/or aluminosilicate. Herein, we report the synthesis of pure silica and aluminosilicate large-pore zeolites, denoted as NUD-14 and Al-NUD-14, respectively, by using a designed cation 1-ethyl-4-phenylpyridinium as an organic structure-directing agent (OSDA). NUD-14 has an intersecting 12×11×11-member ring pore system, which is isostructural to the germanosilicate PUK-16 zeolite with a POS topology. The OSDAs can be completely removed from the framework by calcination. NUD-14 and Al-NUD-14 possess excellent acid and hydrothermal stabilities, superior to the germanosilicate POS zeolite. The incorporation of Al into the zeolite framework makes the Al-NUD-14 zeolite possess medium and strong acidities. The successful synthesis of NUD-14 consisting of a rare odd-member ring pore structure may provide a platform for interesting size- and shape-selective catalytic applications.     

Linking pore diffusivity with macropore structure of zeolite adsorbents. Part II: simulation of pore diffusion and mercury intrusion in stochastically reconstructed zeolite adsorbents

In the present study we complete the evaluation of three dimensional digitized reconstructions of a binderless zeolite adsorbent with improved mass transfer rates, by performing simulations of pore diffusion and Hg-intrusion porosimetry in these structures. It is seen that an excellent agreement with the experimental diffusivity is achieved (relative error of 1.2 %) for a pore structure that matches, besides low order correlations, chord length distribution functions that account for higher order correlations. Furthermore, simulations on a variety of reconstructed samples indicate that matching chord length distribution functions is a necessary (though probably not sufficient) condition for accurate structural representation. The average tortuosity factor is 2.68 and is nearly constant over a broad spectrum of pressures, when properly normalized. Hg-intrusion porosimetry simulations, performed with a pure morphology method, show a good agreement with the experimental curve for normalized cumulative intrusion volumes in the range of 50–88 %, but cannot make a distinction between structures with differences in higher order correlations. It is believed that SEM micrographs, properly obtained to represent realistic 2D sections of the material, contain sufficient structural information that can distinguish among pore structures with different mass transfer rates, when combined with stochastic reconstruction methods. Evidently, the direct link between these structural parameters and pore diffusivity will provide the necessary route to improve the mass transfer rate of porous adsorbents.     

ZSM-5沸石催化剂外表面的化学修饰

通过离子改性、水热处理、表面毒化及预积炭等方法均可提高ZSM-5沸石的择形催化性能.上述方法在改变沸石孔道结构时也明显地改变了沸石的表面酸性质.近年来,采用化学修饰的方法对沸石表面和孔口进行调变的研究已有一些报导.杨儒等用硅烷或SiCl_4等进行气相硅烷化,除缩小孔口尺寸外,还产生了骨架脱铝补硅作用,导致表面酸性质发生变化.王清遐等用正硅酸乙醇浸渍(ZSM-5沸石,随着硅的载入量增加,催化剂酸量和反应活性均降低,而对位选择性增加.Murakami用正硅酸甲     

Parallel pore and surface diffusion of levulinic acid in basic polymeric adsorbents

The equilibrium and kinetics of levulinic acid (LA) adsorption on two basic polymeric adsorbents, 335 (highly porous gel) and D315 (macroreticular), were investigated. Experimental adsorption rates in batch stirred vessels under a variety of operating conditions were described successfully by the parallel pore and surface diffusion model taking into account external mass transfer and nonlinear Toth isotherm. The film-pore diffusion model was matched with the rate data and the resulting apparent pore diffusivities were strongly concentration-dependent and approached to a constant value for 335 adsorbent. Thus, the constant value was taken as the accurate pore diffusivity, while the pore diffusivity in D315 was estimated from the particle porosity. The surface diffusivities decreased with increasing initial bulk concentration for both adsorbents. The inverse concentration dependence was correlated reasonably well to the change of isosteric heat of adsorption as amount adsorbed.     

陶瓷基钛掺杂硅胶块体吸附剂研究

以陶瓷纤维纸为基材, 顺次经水玻璃、酸性硫酸氧钛溶液浸渍共沉淀制得新型蜂窝状陶瓷基钛掺杂硅胶块体吸附剂. FTIR谱在波数954 cm^－1附近的特征吸收峰表明钛掺杂硅胶中存在Si-O-Ti键; XRD谱显示掺杂材料为无定型非晶相材料; SEM显示钛掺杂硅胶粒子较好地分散在陶瓷纤维表面及其空隙中; 用EDS及XPS揭示了材料的组成和钛原子含量, 根据钛掺杂前后XPS中Si2p, O1s, Ti2p 3/2电子结合能变化以及²⁹Si MAS NMR中硅原子化学位移差异, 进一步表明钛原子替代硅原子进入了四面体骨架; BET分析显示掺杂材料以中孔为主. 与硅胶相比, 由于钛掺杂, 其比表面积、孔容增大, 吸附性能、耐热性能增强.     

不同载体的镍基氧化锌对噻吩的吸附脱除性能

采用混捏法制备了以金属氧化物、黏土及分子筛为载体的三类镍基氧化锌吸附剂,采用FT-IR等分析手段进行表征,探讨了其物化性能的差异,并利用微型固定床反应器考察了上述吸附剂对噻吩的吸附脱除性能。结果表明,不同吸附剂对噻吩的吸附效果不同,黏土载体的吸附剂脱硫性能高于金属氧化物载体的脱硫性能,吸附剂的脱硫活性顺序依次为cay-sorb>diatomite-sorb>Al-sorb>Ti-sorb。利用FT-IR对吸附剂的表面酸性进行了表征。结果表明,吸附剂的脱硫性能与其总L酸量有关,总L酸量高的吸附剂脱硫效果较好。分子筛载体吸附剂的脱硫活性顺序依次为MCM-22-sorb>HY-sorb≥Hβ-sorb>H-mordenite-sorb>HZSM-5-sorb。通过比较分子筛载体的孔道结构表明,分子筛载体孔径大小是影响吸附剂脱硫性能的主要因素。     

Sol-Gel Routes to Zeolite Membranes and Thin Films

The synthesis of zeolite membranes and thin films using the secondary growth process is briefly described. In this process colloidal zeolite particles (sols) are prepared hydrothermally and then subsequently deposited on substrates to produce uniform layers of controlled thickness, as illustrated with silicalite and zeolite-A. The formation and growth of the zeolite sols has been investigated in situ by small angle neutron scattering (SANS). SANS measurements on silicalite sols at progressively higher concentrations have provided details of the colloid interactions which lead to zeolite gel-layer structures which are uniform and free of defects.     

Pore size distributions of ion exchangers and relation to protein binding capacity

The pore structure of chromatographic media directly influences macromolecular transport and adsorption, and consequently separation resolution and loading capacity in chromatographic separations. The pore size distribution (PSD) is therefore a central structural characteristic of chromatographic materials and a critical determinant of chromatographic behavior. In this work the PSDs of a set of commercial anion exchangers were determined by inverse size-exclusion chromatography (ISEC). The PSDs were further utilized to develop relations to functional properties of adsorbents, such as intraparticle diffusivity, and static and dynamic binding capacities. We find that the detailed PSD is useful in semi-quantitative understanding of chromatographic behavior. However, more accurate prediction of column behavior requires more thorough knowledge of the pore structure, specifically the connectivity of the pore network, as well as improved understanding of the function of grafted resins.     

Regulating Nonclassical Pathways of Silicalite‐1 Crystallization through Controlled Evolution of Amorphous Precursors

Differentiating mechanisms of zeolite crystallization is challenging owing to the vast number of species in growth solutions. The presence of amorphous colloidal particles is ubiquitous in many zeolite syntheses, and has led to extensive efforts to understand the driving force(s) for their self‐assembly and putative roles in processes of nucleation and growth. In this study, we use a combination of in situ scanning probe microscopy, particle dissolution measurements, and colloidal stability assays to elucidate the degree to which silica nanoparticles evolve in their structure during the early stages of silicalite‐1 synthesis. We show how changes in precursor structure are mediated by the presence of organics, and demonstrate how these changes lead to significant differences in precursor–crystal interactions that alter preferred modes of crystal growth. Our findings provide guidelines for selectively controlling silicalite‐1 growth by particle attachment or monomer addition, thus allowing for the manipulation of anisotropic rates of crystallization. In doing so, we also address a longstanding question regarding what factors are at our disposal to switch from a nonclassical to classical mechanism.     

Preparation of magnetite-loaded silica microspheres for solid-phase extraction of genomic DNA from soy-based foodstuffs

Solid-phase extraction has been widely employed for the preparation of DNA templates for polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based analytical methods. Among the variety of adsorbents studied, magnetically responsive silica particles are particularly attractive due to their potential to simplify, expedite, and automate the extraction process. Here we report a facile method for the preparation of such magnetic particles, which entails impregnation of porous silica microspheres with iron salts, followed by calcination and reduction treatments. The samples were characterized using powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms, and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). XRD data show that magnetite nanocrystals of about 27.2 nm are produced within the pore channels of the silica support after reduction. SEM images show that the as-synthesized particles exhibit spherical shape and uniform particle size of about 3 μm as determined by the silica support. Nitrogen sorption data confirm that the magnetite-loaded silica particles possess typical mesopore structure with BET surface area of about 183 m²/g. VSM data show that the particles display paramagnetic behavior with saturation magnetization of 11.37 emu/g. The magnetic silica microspheres coated with silica shells were tested as adsorbents for rapid extraction of genomic DNA from soybean-derived products. The purified DNA templates were amplified by PCR for screening of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The preliminary results confirm that the DNA extraction protocols using magnetite-loaded silica microspheres are capable of producing DNA templates which are inhibitor-free and ready for downstream analysis.     

Fixed bed adsorption of benzothiophene over zeolites with faujasite structure

This work addresses the adsorption of benzothiophene (BT), as a model heterocyclic and aromatic sulphur compound present in road fuels, over agglomerated zeolites with faujasite structure. Several adsorbents based on zeolites with FAU structure have been prepared with different Si/Al molar ratios and exchange cations and then agglomerated. The influence of the zeolite basicity has been studied, both in equilibrium and dynamic liquid phase adsorption experiments. Basicity of the adsorbent increased as the Si/Al molar ratio and the electronegativity of the exchange cation decreased. In equilibrium experiments, the affinity towards the adsorbent increased as the Si/Al molar ratio decreased, showing the highest affinity for exchanged low silica X zeolites with medium basicity (A-KLSX-02). Dynamic experiments showed that the less zeolite basicity, the higher fractional bed utilization and adsorption capacity at breakthrough time. Besides, zeolites with high basicity did not reach the equilibrium capacity due to the low diffusivity of BT into the micropores. Thermogravimetric analyses of the spent adsorbents showed a stronger BT adsorption onto the more basic zeolites. As main conclusion, adsorbents with medium basicity could present the best performance in fuel desulphurization due to their high affinity with sulphur compounds, although diffusion problems should be taken into account.     

Biosorption of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions: kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamics and desorption studies

Cr(VI) is a major water pollutant from industrial effluent whose concentration is to be reduced within the permissible limit. Present study reports a systematic evaluation of six different natural adsorbents for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions in batch process. The adsorption kinetic data were best described by pseudo-second order model. The values of mass transfer coefficient for Cr(VI) adsorption indicated that the velocity of the adsorbate transport from the bulk to the solid phase was quite fast. The effective diffusivity of Cr(VI) removal for all the adsorbents were of the order of 10(-10) m(2)/s which suggested chemisorption of the process. The adsorption process was jointly controlled by film diffusion and intraparticle diffusion. Maximum monolayer adsorption capacities onto the natural adsorbents used were comparable to the other natural adsorbents used by other researchers. The thermodynamic studies and sorption energy calculation using Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm model indicated that the adsorption processes were endothermic and chemical in nature. FT-IR studies were carried out to understand the type of functional groups responsible for Cr(VI) binding process. Desorption study was carried out with different concentration of NaOH solutions. Application study was carried out using electroplating industrial wastewater.     

DFT investigation of NH3 physisorption on CuSO4 impregnated SiO2

In this quantum chemical investigation, NH(3) physisorption onto a model of copper sulfate impregnated silica is compared with pure silica and copper sulfate adsorbents. The physisorption process is modeled as direct binding of the NH(3) molecule to the adsorption site of the dry adsorbents and as displacement of a H(2)O molecule by NH(3) in the hydrated complexes. The surface of silica is represented by a hydroxyl group attached to a silsesquioxane cage, H(7)Si(8)O(12)(OH) and silica impregnated with CuSO(4) by the most stable configuration of the cluster containing a CuSO(4) ion pair placed adjacent to the silica cage. H(2)O is systematically added to the dehydrated adsorbents to investigate the role of water in NH(3) adsorption. Modeling hydrated environments of each type of adsorbent is focused on H(2)O molecules that directly coordinate with the active sites. The results indicate that the binding energy of adsorbing NH(3) onto the mixed adsorbent is greater than in pure silica. This enhanced binding in the mixed adsorbent is consistent with improved Br?nsted acidity of the silanol in the presence of CuSO(4).     

Influence of Cycle Temperatures on the Thermochemical Heat Storage Densities in the Systems Water/Microporous and Water/Mesoporous Adsorbents

The adsorption equilibrium of water on microporous adsorbents (zeolites of NaA-, NaY- and NaX-type as well as their ion exchanged forms) and on mesoporous adsorbents (different silica gels and composite material i.e. silica gel + salt hydrate) has been studied experimentally and theoretically. Using the Dubinin theory of pore filling the characteristic curves of the adsorption systems and other relevant dependences such as isotherms, isobars, isosteres and the curve of the differential heat of adsorption were calculated. For all systems investigated the adsorption were calculated. A_ads and the desorption potential A_des of the closed heat storage system were estimated. These values define the working range of the adsorption/desorption cycle and allow to calculate the specific heat storage density Δ h_sp. On the basis of Δ h_sp the different adsorbents were compared in order to select the optimal porous storage material for a given application. The presented experimental and theoretical investigations show that the adsorption systems water-zeolite and water-composites are promising working pairs for thermochemical heat storage processes for hot tap water supply and space heating of single family dwellings. The advantage of the water-composite system is the low desorption temperature (solar energy) the main shortcoming the low temperature lift. The advantage of the water zeolite system is the high temperature lift, the shortcoming are the relative high desorption temperatures.     

Potentiometric Sensing of Heavy Metal Ions Using a Novel Zeolite Y Membrane

The application of zeolite Y membranes to the potentiometric sensing of heavy metal ions is described. Membranes are prepared from a pressed disk of zeolite Y, treated using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a silica source. The resulting silica‐zeolite Y composite membranes are characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction, MAS NMR and their potentiometric response to cations with a diameter greater than the zeolite Y pore. The initial response to cadmium (Cd²⁺) and lead (Pb²⁺) ions obeys the Nernst equation, including appropriate corrections for non‐ideality, although the responses decay over a time‐scale of several hours for higher concentration ratios.     

Synthesis of SiO2@SiO2 core-shell microspheres using urea-formaldehyde polymers as the templates for fast separation of small solutes and proteins

The monodisperse superficially porous core-shell silica microspheres (CSSMs) with controllable shell thickness and pore size were synthesized by an improved polymerization-induced colloid aggregation (PICA) approach for fast separation of small solutes and proteins.     

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography of proteins III. Transport and kinetic parameters in isocratic elution

The effective pore diffusivities, D(e), of five model proteins (ribonuclease A, lysozyme, alpha-lactalbumin, ovalbumin, and BSA) in eight commercial phenyl hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) media were determined by analyzing the plate height data from isocratic elution using the first two moments of the general linear rate model. The adsorbents represent a diverse set of HIC media that are widely used for protein purification. The estimated pore diffusivities were used to calculate the elution profiles of proteins in these adsorbents and were compared with the elution profiles obtained experimentally. High protein loading and sample protein concentration led to the underestimation of the pore diffusivity by the linear rate model. Comparisons between the calculated and the experimental profiles suggest that the pore diffusivities obtained from the linear rate model are generally accurate for proteins with low structural flexibility but not for more flexible ones, presumably because conformational change effects contribute significantly to the overall HETP. The general linear rate model was modified to account for the protein folding/unfolding kinetics, and parameter values could be estimated by fitting the experimental elution profiles to the modified model. In addition to conformational change, adsorbent type also had a significant effect on the accuracies of the pore diffusivities estimated by the linear rate model. The results also show that pore diffusion was the rate-limiting step in all absorbents for rigid proteins such as ribonuclease A and lysozyme. For structurally flexible proteins, conformational change contributed significantly to the overall reduced plate heights of the isocratic elution peaks. The physical properties of adsorbents, such as protein accessible porosity, pore size distribution, pore radius and pore connectivity, play important roles in determining the effective protein pore diffusivities.     

Synthesis and structure of the bidimensional zeolite ITQ-32 with small and large pores

A new bidimensional zeolite containing 8R and 12R pores, denoted as ITQ-32, has been synthesized and its structure solved from powder X-ray diffraction data. This zeolite presents a relatively large pore volume (0.16 cm3/g) and pore apertures of 3.5 x 4.3 A and can be prepared as a nearly pure silica zeolite and as aluminosilicate. In the latest case, acidic properties are developed.