(596d) Using Ionic Liquids to Synthesize Porous Aluminophosphate Molecular Sieves

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), which are liquid at near ambient temperature, less than 100^oC and with negligible vapor pressure, are a category of novel solvents composed entirely of ions. RTILs have recently been used as solvents and structure directing agents in the synthesis of microporous and mesoporous materials. Unlike conventional hydrothermal synthesis, where water is used as solvent, ionothermal synthesis, where RTILs are used as solvents, can be conducted under near ambient pressure and provides opportunities to synthesize new materials. In this presentation, we will discuss the effects of reaction composition and conditions on structures of the porous aluminophosphate molecular sieves (AlPOs). For example, we show that hydrochloric acid can be used in ionothermal syntheses where hydrofluoric acid was reported to be necessary. We also present results comparing the reaction time and temperature to those conducted using traditional hydrothermal techniques. We also will discuss the influence of the ionic liquid structure on the resulting materials, focusing on the influence of the anion.