(199f) Metal Oxide/Zeolite Core-Shell Nanostructures: Synthesis and Characterizations

In this presentation we will report the synthesis of metal oxide/zeolite core-shell nanostructures by adsorption of zeolite nanoparticles on metal oxide particles followed by secondary hydrothermal growth. The metal oxide surface was first modified by layer by layer self-assembly of polyelectrolyte and then attached with zeolite nanoparticles by coulombic forces. By monitoring the zeta potential vs pH, this method can be applied for different metal oxides, such as ZnO and TiO2, with versatile surface properties. The secondary growth was promoted to convert zeolite nanoparticles into a continuous, well-intergrown shell. Although the secondary growth condition is highly alkaline and corrosive along with significantly different from the coating conditions, the growth of the zeolite nanoparticles is fast enough to form a closed layer before the coating falls apart as well as avoid damage to the metal oxide core particles. Such a metal oxide/zeolite core-shell microstructure can be used as membrane microreactor and may find potential applications in the field of metal oxide based heterogeneous catalysis.