Ultra-thin zeolite films prepared by spin-coating Silicalite-1 precursor solutions

Doyle, A.M., Rupprechter, G., Pfander, N., Schlogl, R., Kirschhock, C. E. A., Martens, J. A. and Freund, H-J (2003) Ultra-thin zeolite films prepared by spin-coating Silicalite-1 precursor solutions. Chemical Physics Letters, 382 (3-4). pp. 404-409. ISSN 0009-2614

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Abstract

A procedure has been developed to prepare ultra-thin zeolite films supported on Si(1 0 0). Films were prepared by spin-coating a solution of Silicalite-1 zeolite precursors diluted in ethanol, followed by hydration in water vapour and heating to 60 °C. High resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis of sample cross-sections shows that the surfaces are both smooth and continuous, and films of approximately 2 and 15 nm thickness were prepared by varying the precursor dilution factor. Electron diffraction analysis shows that the 15 nm film is an amorphous arrangement of Silicalite-1 precursors. Atomic force microscopy measurements confirm that the surface is smooth over a range of several microns.