TEABr directed synthesis of ZSM-12 and its NMR characterization

Synthesis of ZSM-12 using tetraethylammonium bromide (TEABr) as the template was investigated. Among the various parameters that affect the crystallization of ZSM-12, aluminum content of the gel, OH^?/SiO₂ and TEA/SiO₂ ratios were the important determinants. Systematic variations of these parameters revealed that the TEABr-assisted synthesis had many similarities to the synthesis using TEAOH template reported earlier, with the exception that the OH^?/SiO₂ ratios had to be maintained at lower values. Furthermore, the OH^?/SiO₂ ratios favorable for ZSM-12 formation lie in a very narrow range. The source of alkalinity also affected the rate of crystallization and the composition of the product. The crystallization was found to be faster and better incorporation of aluminum in the zeolite framework was obtained when NaOH was used to provide alkalinity rather than KOH. Successful synthesis of highly crystalline ZSM-12 samples with Si/Al ratio around 30 was achieved using a minimal amount of relatively inexpensive TEABr (TEA/SiO₂=0.125).

Aluminum-27 NMR spectroscopy unambiguously revealed that all aluminum atoms are incorporated in the zeolite framework in tetrahedral coordination. The NMR line-widths of aluminum signals of the calcined samples were significantly larger than those with template incorporated samples. Spin-lattice relaxation times, conventional and rotating frame, as well as magic angle spinning (MAS) cross-polarization data with variable contact time support that there is a significant proton reservoir in the aluminum framework. The NMR data indicate that many distorted tetrahedral sites are formed upon removal of the template and some of these sites contain Al–OH moieties.