Congratulations to Prof. Shik Chi Edman Tsang, Prof. Tsz Woon Benedict Lo, and Dr. Guangchao Li on publishing a paper in Science titled “Atomic Locations and Adsorbate Interactions of Al Single and Pair Sites in H-ZSM-5 Zeolite”.
Zeolites, a type of crystalline material widely used in the petrochemical industry, play a crucial role in chemical reactions. However, one of the biggest mysteries in zeolite science has been understanding exactly where aluminum atoms are located within their structure and their interaction with the reactants, as they directly affect how these materials catalyse chemical reactions.
A groundbreaking study led by researchers (Prof. Shik Chi Edman Tsang, Prof. Tsz Woon Benedict Lo, and Dr. Guangchao Li) at the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the Chemistry Department of Oxford University has now tackled this challenge. The team successfully mapped the precise locations of individual and paired aluminum atoms within the zeolite framework. They achieved this by combining synchrotron resonant soft X-ray diffraction (RSXRD)—a powerful tool for studying atomic structures—with molecular adsorption methods, which reveal how molecules interact with the material.
This discovery is a game-changer. By understanding exactly where and how aluminum atoms are positioned, scientists can now design more efficient and targeted zeolite catalysts. This could lead to significant improvements in chemical production, making processes faster, more energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly.
The implications extend beyond petrochemicals, potentially benefiting industries like renewable energy and pollution control. In short, this research opens the door to smarter, greener, and more cost-effective chemical manufacturing for a wide range of applications. This groundbreaking work has been published in the journal Science on the 24th of January 2025.
Key Findings:
- Identifying Aluminium Sites: The team discovered distinct types of aluminium—‘single-Al’ and ‘Al pairs’—in commercial H-ZSM-5 zeolites, each showing different behaviors when interacting with other molecules.
- Impact on Catalytic Activity: The positioning of aluminium influences how molecules adsorb and react, which is crucial for improving catalytic processes in the industry.
- Advanced Techniques: Using RSXRD allowed the researchers to gain clearer insights into the atomic structure of zeolites, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods.
Join us in celebrating this remarkable achievement!
DOI: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq6644
