Discrete colloidal particles of TPA-silicalite-l with an average parti
cle size of less than 100 nm and with a narrow particle-size distribut
ion have been synthesized in clear homogeneous solutions. The factors
influencing particle size have been investigated. High silica contents
in conjunction with high alkalinities favor the synthesis of colloida
l silicalite suspensions. Polymeric silica sources result in larger pa
rticles compared to those synthesized with tetraethoxy silane-presumab
ly due to the different nucleation kinetics. It was found that the bas
e concentration influences nucleation behavior in that high alkaliniti
es result in the nucleation of a relatively large number of particles.
The growth rates are constant for a given silica content irrespective
of the alkalinity, at least within the alkalinity range studied. This
result is ascribed to a rate-limiting surface reaction step that is a
consequence of the synthesis mixture composition. The linear growth r
ates recorded are lower than those typically reported in the literatur
e.