Selective multi-component diffusion measurement in zeolites by pulsed field gradient NMR

The potential of pulsed field gradient (PFG) NMR for selective diffusion measurement in multi-component liquids is far from being fulfilled in multi-component diffusion studies with zeolites. We present two recent developments in PFG NMR instrumentation, which will significantly improve the measuring conditions for multi-component diffusion in zeolites and other nanoporous materials. They include options for an enhancement of the sensitivity with respect to smaller displacements by a novel principle of field gradient pulse matching and with respect to selectivity between different components by combining PFG NMR with magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR with a microimaging gradient system. The potentials and limitations of the two options are demonstrated by the first results of selective PFG NMR self-diffusion measurements with zeolitic adsorbate–adsorbent systems containing as much as four different species of guest molecules.