Effect of synthesis parameters on mesoporous SAPO-5 with AFI-type formation via microwave radiation using alumatrane and silatrane precursors

Mesoporous zeotype, SAPO-5, has been prepared using alumatrane and silatrane precursors, containing alkanolamine ligands, via microwave radiation. Triethylamine (TEA) was used as a structure-directing agent. The effects of the amount of silicon, the reaction conditions, viz. aging time, reaction time and temperature, were investigated. All samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and nitrogen physisorption. The results showed a SAPO-5 zeotype with an AFI-type structure, having a hexagonal outer surface morphology and an average pore diameter of 2–5 nm. The samples contained a classic single crystal SAPO-5 and a 10–100 nm mesoporous matrix nanostructure, also having AFI structure.