Effect of alkali cations on the synthesis of novel layered silicates in the system SiO2-tetramethylammonium hydroxide-1,4-dioxane

A novel layered silicate, designated PLS, was prepared from a mixture of SiO2, alkaline solution, TMAOH, and 1,4-dioxane. The influence of various synthesis parameters, such as the amount of several alkaline solutions, reaction temperature, and aging time, was studied. The synthetic condition of PLS was influenced by changes in the amount of alkaline solution. The largest cation Cs+ did not produce a PLS structure. In the case of K+, the range of synthetic conditions for PLS was very narrow, wheras the range was wider in the case of Li+ and Na+.