STUDY OF SURFACE-PROPERTIES OF ZEOLITE FAUJASITE USING ARENES AS PHOTOPHYSICAL PROBE MOLECULES - ADSORPTION AND ELECTRON-TRANSFER PHENOMENA

Adsorption and electron transfer of arenes on the surfaces of zeolites X and Y are investigated using photophysical and electron spin resonance techniques. Reorganization of the adsorbed molecules in the supercages occurs upon adsorption of other molecules such as pentane. Comparing zeolites X and Y, differences in adsorption and redox, i.e., electron-transfer, properties are observed. The surface of zeolite Y gives rise to inhomogeneous adsorption of pyrene molecules, interacts with the adsorbed arenes strongly, and readily creates cation radicals of arenes. The results show that molecules with ionization potentials below 7.0 eV can be ionized on the surfaces of zeolites X and Y, and that the yield is higher for zeolite Y.