In-situ XRD as a tool to understanding zeolite crystallization

In-situ powder diffraction is becoming a powerful tool in studies of hydrothermal synthesis of microporous materials. Especially the development of high intensity synchrotron sources has had a major impact on the ability to follow in-situ even fast chemical reactions involving crystalline material. The techniques for in-situ powder diffraction studies of hydrothermal and solvothermal synthesis have matured and it is now possible to design experiments and study the crystallization of microporous materials under various conditions.In the present review the recent developments in in-situ methods using especially energy and angular dispersive synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction for studies of hydrothermal synthesis are described. In addition, the use of neutron diffraction and conventional X-ray radiation is commented upon. The possibilities and limitations of the present state-of-the-art techniques are discussed. A number of examples of in-situ studies of synthesis of microporous materials are given.