Exploring the hierarchy of transport phenomena in hierarchical pore systems by NMR diffusion measurement

The pulsed field gradient technique of NMR (PFG NMR) is applied for exploring molecular diffusion in different specimens of zeolite NaCaA, notably in samples containing “hierarchical” pore systems where the micropores are traversed by mesopores. Choosing ethane (capable of permeating both micro- and mesopores) and cyclohexane (unable to penetrate the micropores) as guest molecules and varying purposefully the accessibility and mobility in the mesopores by temperature variation and pore blocking, the diffusivities in the two pore spaces are measured separately from each other. It is shown that the presence of the mesopores may give rise to dramatically enhanced intracrystalline diffusivities while a blockage of the mesopores reduces the intracrystalline diffusivities by an order of magnitude.

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► In-depth study of diffusion in mesoporous zeolite LTA by pulsed field gradient NMR.
► Diffusion in meso- and micropores is measured selectively.
► Mesopores enhance diffusion at high and decelerate at low temperatures.