Environmental applications of nanocrystalline zeolites

I&EC 147

Sarah C. Larsen, sarah-larsen@uiowa.edu and Vicki H. Grassian, vicki-grassian@uiowa.edu. Department of Chemistry, The University of Iowa, 305 CB, Iowa City, IA 52242
Nanocrystalline zeolites were synthesized with crystal sizes of 100 nm or less. These porous nanomaterials were extensively characterized to determine the structural and surface properties using techniques such as FTIR, solid state NMR, nitrogen adsorption isotherms, and powder x-ray diffraction. The surface properties were varied by functionalization with aminopropyltriethoxysilane and other organosilanes containing different functional groups in order to tailor the nanozeolites for specific applications. Nanocrystalline zeolites were evaluated for environmental applications including the adsorption of volatile organic compounds and toxic metals, deNOx catalysis, and decontamination.