Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline CoAPO-5: Structural and morphological analysis by alteration on hydrothermal parameters

Nano-zeolite CoAPO-5 as a member of AFI family, was synthesized via a hydrothermal treatment, and structurally characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). The effects of crystallization temperature and time on the structure of these powder products were studied. XRD patterns of the synthesized powders revealed a high-crystallinity and pure phase of AFI. SEM images and Scherrer equation showed the nano-size of the obtained CoAPO-5. Also, SEM images showed nano-wires as small as 30-50 nm in CoAPO-5 structures. According to EDAX analysis, P/Al ratio of the prepared CoAPO-5 powder was about 1.5. Crystal sizes and the crystallinity of CoAPO-5 reduced at higher temperatures of hydrothermal treatment. On the other hand, the larger crystals grew by increasing the crystallization time from 24 to 48 h.