Advanced Characterisation of Local Coordination of T-atoms in Microporous Materials with CHA Topology

The Catalysis group at the Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo and the Department of Hydrocarbon Process Chemistry at SINTEF Materials and Chemistry have been collaborating fruitfully for decades, and during the last 10 years they have exploited t he synergy between experimental and computational methods with great success. This project involves one new PhD student. The PhD candidate will be dependent on interaction with scientists at both UiO and SINTEF, due to the methodologically advanced nature of the project. Aluminosilicate zeolites and silicoaluminophophate SAPO-type materials are solid acids that may act as catalysts for the conversion of methanol to light alkenes. Recent NMR results obtained in joint project between UiO and the group of P rof. Francis Taulelle in Versailles, France give new insight into the local environment at the active sites in zeolites. A long withstanding issue within the research on these materials is whether or not Al (or Si for the SAPOs) is randomly distributed am ong the various framework sites, if certain positions are preferentially occupied, or if ordering may occur. Advanced solid state NMR indicates that the mobility of framework T-atom during calcination of the catalytic reaction is substantial and that Al p airing takes place to a large extent. Within the current project, the PhD candidate will perform synthesis of microporous materials of the CHA structure and submit these to extensive characterization using solid state NMR utilizing a new instrument at SIN TEF, as well as other characterization techniques.