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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Preparation of Functional Silica Using a Bioinspired Method
Published on: August 1, 2018
Silica sodalite without occluded organic matters by topotactic conversion of lamellar precursor
Takahiko Moteki1, Watcharop Chaikittisilp, Atsushi Shimojima
1Department of Chemical System Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
Abstract:
Novel pure silica sodalite with hollow sodalite-cages has been synthesized for the first time by topotactic conversion of layered silicate (RUB-15) precursor. This success has been achieved by stepwise syntheses from silicate monomers, through clusters and layers, to microporous crystals. The pretreatment of layered silicate with small carboxylic acids before conversion is a crucial step. The obtained sodalite possesses accessible micropores, as confirmed by physical adsorption of hydrogen molecules. This plate-like silica sodalite would be very promising as fillers in mixed-matrix membranes for hydrogen separation.
