The synthesis of discrete colloidal crystals of zeolite beta and their application in the preparation of thin microporous films

Stable colloidal suspensions containing discrete crystals of zeolite Beta with particle sizes less than 150 nm were synthesized within a wide composition range. Crystallization of colloidal zeolite Beta was facilitated by low water and sodium contents and by high TEAOH contents. Solid samples obtained after drying were characterized using XRD and FT-IR. Thin (ca. 130 nm) films of zeolite Beta were grown on a Ta-substrate using colloidal crystals of zeolite Beta as seeds.