Synthesis of Nanosiliceous Zeolite and its Functionalization with Silane Derivatives

A nanosiliceous zeolite has been synthesized using hydrothermal method. Theoretically, nanosiliceous zeolite contains a lot of silanol group which allow the functionalization process for surface modification. Siliceous zeolite of the type silicalite (Sil) has been synthesized hydrothermally at 150oC for 4 days. The silicalite material was then functionalized with silane derivatives i.e 3- (triethoxysilyl)-propylamine (APTES), octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) and (3-mercaptopropyl)- trimethoxysilane (MPTS) using post-synthesis method. XRD results showed the formation of silicalite phase crystallinity. The FTIR result showed that Sil-OTS gave the highest intensity of the vibration assigned for silane derivative, followed by Sil-APTES and Sil-MPTS. The BET surface area of the functionalized-Sil decreased, showing the attachment of silane derivatives to silicalite has occurred. FESEM results showed sheet of hexagonal stick together to form granule-like crystal morphology of functionalized-Sil samples with larger particle size was observed for Sil-OTS, followed by Sil-APTES and Sil-MPTS after functionalization process. The functionalized-Sil sample is expected to be a good support for chemosensor molecules.