Mechanism of zeolites crystal growth: new findings and open questions

Abstract

This paper will review the crystal growth mechanism of zeolites and discuss some of the latest findings in this field. A great effort has been dedicated in recent years to improving the fundamental understanding of zeolite crystal growth during the synthesis process, with the overall aim of increasing control over the zeolite properties and structure. The latest studies on zeolite crystallization in colloidal (clear) suspensions, prepared by addition of organic and inorganic structural directing agents, in comparison to traditional gel synthesis and seed-approach will be discussed. Further understanding of the imperative dependence of zeolite crystallization kinetics' on the nature and mode of mixing of the initial reactants, leading to the formation of amorphous particles, intermediates, and final crystalline zeolites will be presented.