Incorporation of zeolites into composite matrices

Zeolites KNaA and NaX were incorporated into composite matrix materials hav ing organic and inorganic components. These composite materials were coated onto glass substrates, cured, and tested for nitrogen adsorption. Uptake c apacities were always significantly higher for the NaX zeolite films compar ed to the KNaA zeolite films, as expected, due the zeolite pore sizes relat ive to the nitrogen molecule. Both thermal curing and UV curing were used in this study to initiate the c rosslinking reactions that created the matrices. IR spectra demonstrated th at some of the matrix materials bonded to the zeolite surfaces, whereas som e did not. Post-synthesis oxidative: degradation treatments were shown to a ffect the nitrogen uptake capacity. Thus, the choice of zeolite, the compos ition of the matrix materials, and post-synthesis treatments can all be use d to tailor the effective pore dimensions of the composite film for subsequ ent separations or sensor applications. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.