FORMATION OF ZSM-5 (MFI) ZEOLITE FIBER

Zeolite fiber was manufactured hom the nanosized ZSM-5 crystals. In th is process, it was found that the size of zeolite particles (less than or equal to 200 nn) play critical role in the fiber formation. To obt ain nanosized zeolite crystals, ZSM-5 zeolite was crystallized at the temperature of 80 degrees C and the atmospheric pressure. The size of zeolite was observed to be dependent on Si/Al ratio. Si/Al ratio of 33 was optimum for the synthesis of 200-nm sized zeolites. The formation of zeolite fiber was also affected by the interaction between particl es and solvent. High adhesion energy of zeolite particles seems to be required to form the fiber. ZSM-5 zeolite fiber was transparent becaus e the size of zeolite particles is below the wavelength of visible lig ht (400-700 nu). The particle size of ZSM-5 fiber was found to be larg er than that of TS-1 zeolite fiber (80 nm).