The study of MCM-41 molecular sieves by energy-filtering TEM

Energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) was used to examin e the distribution of silicon as T-atoms in mesoporous MCM-41 molecular sie ves. At nanometer-sized resolution, the Si distribution image derived from electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) with Gatan imaging filter (GIF) wa s found to be ordered and correlated well to the hexagonal array of the one -dimensional channels of MCM-41. In addition, the pore-to-pore distance and the wall thickness of MCM-41 (determined by Si distribution map) are in go od agreement with those derived from X-ray diffraction and N-2 adsorption m ethods. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.