Synthesis of SAPO-34 templated by diethylamine: Crystallization process and Si distribution in the crystals

The crystallization process of SAPO-34 molecular sieve with Si distribution in the crystals using diethylamine (DEA) as the template was investigated by XRD, SEM, IR, NMR, XRF, XPS and EDS techniques. It was found that the solution-mediated transport mechanism occurred during the crystallization, though the gel transformation cannot be completely excluded in the initial crystallization (t ⩽ 1 h). Si directly participated in the crystallization in the initial stage and incorporated into the framework of SAPO-34 by SM2 (P substitution by Si) and SM3 (pairs of Al and P substitution by 2Si) mechanisms. XPS analysis revealed the enrichment of Si on the surface of crystals. Based on the experimental results, a model of Si distribution in the crystals was proposed, which described a non-uniform distribution of Si in the crystals, with the increasing content from the core to the surface.