Formation of Colloidal Hydroxy-Sodalite Nanocrystals by the Direct Transformation of Silicalite Nanocrystals

Abstract

With the aid of tetrapropylammonium hydroxide molecules trapped in the silicalite nanocrystals, the silicalite undergoes the structural transformation into dispersible hydroxy-sodalite nanocrystals without substantial change in morphology and size. This approach provides a new insight into zeolite crystallization and transformation and represents a facile method for synthesis of sodalite nanocrystals.