Elucidation of the chemical environment for zinc species in an electron-rich zinc-incorporated zeolite

•An electron-rich zinc-incorporated zeolite has been prepared by chemical vapor reaction.•Univalent zinc is detected after the electron-rich zeolite is irradiated with X-ray.•The chemical environment of the zinc species is elucidated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy.•The coordination environment of the zinc species changes upon interaction with water molecules.

An electron-rich zinc-modified zeolite has been prepared by the incorporation of zinc vapor into the channels of a dehydrated HY (protonated zeolite Y). The chemical environment of the zinc species in the electron-rich zeolite has been elucidated on the basis of X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The formation of univalent zinc (Zn+) within the electron-rich zeolite was observed upon the irradiation of X-ray from either a synchrotron radiation source or a conventional X-ray diffractometer. The X-ray irradiation initiated the electron transfer from the electron-rich framework of zeolite Y to the nearby Zn2+ cations, generating Zn+ species. The variation of the coordination environment of the zinc species upon interaction with water molecules has also been investigated.

Graphical abstractThe chemical environment of the zinc species in an electorn-rich zeolite has been elucidated on the basis of X-ray absorption spectroscopy .Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide