The hydrothermal synthesis of silicalite - an in situ small-angle neutron scattering study

Small-angle neutron scattering was used to study in situ the gel transformations occurring in the amorphous zeolite reaction mixt. during the so-called induction period and subsequent crystn. The synthesis of silicalite was studied at various temps. (130, 150, 170, 190 Deg). The size of the primary units in the precursor reaction mixt. is .apprx.45 .ANG.. These units grow during the synthesis. The largest particle sizes were obtained at the lowest temps. owing to the smaller nucleation rate. Before crystn. can occur, a reorganization of the gel phase occurs. During the induction period as well as during the crystn. the gel units have a surface fractal structure. Crystn. starts in or on the growing amorphous gel particles. [on SciFinder (R)