Hydrothermal stability of zeolite SAPO-11

The hydrothermal stability of SAPO-11 was studied in water of autogenous pressure as function of the temperature. SAPO-11 remained crystalline up to 190 °C. Thereby, it was observed, parent as well as hydrothermally treated samples showed similarities to the isotypic structure of zeolite AlPO-11 called here AELdry. After fully hydration of the samples, AELdry changed completely into a hydrated AELwet structure of another framework symmetry. The transition from calcined to hydrated state was reversible for both the parent and the hydrothermally treated samples. 27Al and 31P NMR MAS spectra showed a single resonance typical for AlPO4 type tetrahedra for the calcined parent and hydrothermally treated samples. Upon hydration, the single AlPO4 resonance signal split into three different signals as is the case for the corresponding 31P signals. By means of NH3-TPD measurement a loss of acidity was detected after the hydrothermal treatment as follows from a framework desilication. Nitrogen and water adsorption decreased systematically. At 210 °C a non-zeolitic, non-porous phase was irreversibly formed. The XRD pattern of this phase shows resemblance to a synthetic aluminium phosphate of the tridymite structure type.