Methods to Synthesize Stannosilicate Materials with Controlled Tin Coordination
A novel liquid phase reflux method precisely controls tin distribution and achieves up to four times higher tin density in stannosilicates for highly tunable catalyst, ion-exchange, and adsorption applications across the chemical and petrochemical industries.
Zeolites are a type of crystalline, microporous, silica-based structure with the ability to trap and contain individual atoms or ions. They often contain some fraction of their structural silicon atoms substituted for another atom; one of the most intriguing being tin. Tin containing zeolites known as stannosilicates, have a multitude of applications; however, they can be difficult to synthesize and produce unwanted byproducts of reaction.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a method to synthesize stannosilicates with precisely controlled tin distributions and coordination. This is possible through the use of a liquid phase reflux to graft tin atoms into vacancies in the zeolite lattice. This method makes it possible to prepare tin zeolites with a wide range of tin content and densities up to four times higher than currently available synthesis routes. These carefully developed stannosilicates can be finely tuned to be used as a catalyst in a specific reaction, in ion-exchange, or adsorption applications.
Advantages:
-Permits precise preparation of tin zeolites
-Highest possible tin density
-Can be integrated into existing systems
Potential Applications:
-Effective catalyst in many chemical reactions
-Can be used in sugar isomerizations
-Used in ion-exchange or chemical adsorption
-Chemical industry
-Petrochemical industry
TRL: 4
Intellectual Property:
Provisional-Patent, 2016-08-29, United States | Utility Patent, 2017-08-25, United States
Keywords: Zeolites, stannosilicates, tin zeolites, crystalline structure, microporous, catalyst, chemical industry, petrochemical industry, ion-exchange, sugar isomerizations