IONIC AND METALLIC CLUSTERS OF THE ALKALI-METALS IN ZEOLITE-Y

Dehydrated samples of zeolite Y containing alkali-metal cations have been reacted with alkali-metal vapor in sealed silica tubes, and the products studied by electron-spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Two distinct species were detected following the reaction of sodium-exchanged zeolite Y with sodium, potassium, or rubidium vapor. Exposure to a low concentration of metal vapor resulted in brightly colored samples with ESR signals characteristic of a stable ionic cluster species Na3+4, in which an unpaired electron is trapped on four equivalent sodium cations in the sodalite cages of the zeolite. Exposure to higher concentrations of metal vapor resulted in dark-colored samples with ESR signals characteristic of small metallic particles located inside the zeolite cavities. A similar ionic cluster species K3+4 was detected following the reaction of potassium-exchanged zeolite Y with sodium or potassium vapor although the potassium cluster was less stable than its sodium counterpart and an ESR signal from small metallic particles was observed at the same time. The corresponding Rb3+4 ionic cluster species was not detected following the reaction of rubidium-exchanged zeolite Y with rubidium vapor; only an ESR signal from small metallic particles was observed. The narrow linewidths of the ESR signals from the small metallic particles suggest an inhibition of the spin-relaxation mechanisms in the bulk metals. © 1984