THE FRACTAL DIMENSION IN MOLECULAR-SIEVES - SYNTHETIC FAUJASITE AND RELATED SOLIDS

Synthetic faujasite (Na-Y) and its variously modified forms have been examined by X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, Si-29 MAS NMR, and sorption of C1-C4 alcohols. A surface fractal dimension, D(a), of Na-Y, H,Na-Y, and ultrastable, realuminated, and chemically dealuminated zeolite Y has been calculated from the adsorption isotherms of alcohols. The evolution of the fractal dimension of faujasitic solids is discussed in terms of the parent zeolite treatment. We will demonstrate that fractal analysis is a convenient tool and can discern and describe quantitatively the differences between samples prepared from the sodium form of zeolite Y via diverse routes.