Design and Synthesis of Microporous Zeolites

The aim of this project is to use template hydrothermal synthesis to prepare novel zeolites. These may be (i) materials with known types of tetrahedrally-connected frameworks (called topology types, and denoted by 3-letter codes) but with unprecedented framework compositions, or (ii) structures with novel topology types. The project methodology will involve identifying a topology type that has not yet been prepared either in a certain desired composition or has not been observed at all. The former will require a full analysis of known structures, the latter will be via analysis of databases of hypothetical structures. The criteria for prioritising selection of potential targets will then include the likely applicability of these materials as catalysts and the energetic feasibility of the structure. Templating routes will then be devised to the synthesis of these materials via the use of computational approaches..