X-ray diffraction, FTIR and 1H MAS NMR investigations during fast dynamic exchange between Na+OH─ ion pairs and H2O molecules in sodalites

International audienceWe report sodalite phases formed at the intermediate stages during the fast dynamic exchange between Na+OH─ ion pairs and H2O molecules while transforming a series of hydro-hydroxy sodalites into hydro sodalites. The applicability of an ion-exchange technique has been addressed, which is much faster than the previously employed exchange methods. The results of X-ray diffraction, FTIR and 1H MAS NMR spectroscopy are complimentary showing the successive steps of the exchanges. The X-ray data Rietveld refinements demonstrate that the framework composition did not change at the intermediate stages of the Na+OH─/H2O exchange, thus distinguished the ion-exchange from re-crystallization