Abstract
Mordenite zeolite was synthesized without organic structure directing agents. We used ion exchange to create the zinc sulphide nano-clusters inside the zeolite framework. The as-synthesised (Na-MOR zeolite) and exchanged samples (Zn-MOR, ZnS-MOR zeolites) were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), solid state magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) elemental analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). PXRD shows that exchange does not affect the zeolite framework, a a slight increase in the unit cell parameters from Na-MOR to ZnS-MOR is observed. The successful incorporation of Zn2+into the MOR framework is confirmed by 23Na NMR. EDX, BET, and TEM analyses also provide evidences for the formation of ZnS nano-clusters.