ADDITIONAL AND COMPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES
If powdered X-ray diffraction (XRD) is available, a diffractogram
(X-ray diffraction pattern) of the prepared zeolite (after
having been crushed) can be obtained. This experimental XRD
pattern can be compared with one provided by International
Zeolite Association.8 This would identify the structure as ZSM-5
zeolite. However, for the sake of convenience, the diffractogram
of ZSM-5 has been provided in Supporting Information. The
surface area of the prepared zeolite sample can also be measured
if an automated sorption analyzer is available. The details of
procedures for such purpose have been discussed elsewhere.14 If
students obtained a nitrogen adsorption isotherm, it can be
compared with original data. For this purpose, an excel sheet has
been provided in Supporting Information where nitrogen adsorption
isotherm data, plot, and calculations for surface area
have been demonstrated.
The zeolite foam produced from this experimental procedure
can be tested in the laboratory to determine other important
properties. For example, ion exchange is one of the characteristic
properties of a zeolite. A simple and colorful experiment to test
the ion-exchange capabilities of prepared zeolite foam has been
published in this Journal.
15 In such experiments, students may
use colored salt of any transition metal to monitor the reaction;
for example, the pink colored solution of cobalt chloride is a good
option.
Using instrumental techniques, such as IR spectroscopy,
selective adsorption of alcohols by the zeolite foam can also be
monitored.16 The monolithic disc of zeolite obtained in absence
of PUF foam can be used to study the permeation of absorbable
and nonadsorbable gases through structure.17
The catalytic application of various zeolites has been proposed
by various authors to introduce basic concepts of physical chemistry
and thermodynamics. Following one such procedure,18 the
catalytic properties of the prepared zeolite foam can be used to
investigated the conversion of methanol to hydrocarbon.
’SUMMARY
This experiment is expected to have a high pedagogical value
owing to the general skills in nanoporous material development
and characterization that the students acquire. This experiment
promotes the level of overall comprehension and understanding
of basic concepts of inorganic and physical chemistry and encourages
student-based ideas on directions the experiments
could be extended if they desired to study these and other related
materials in further detail.
’ASSOCIATED CONTENT
bS Supporting Information
A student handout with detailed experimental instructions
containing guidelines for synthesis, characterization, and time
management; characterization data from adsorption capacity
measurements and bulk density measurements; two additional
activities. This material is available via the Internet at http://
pubs.acs.org.