Influence of Aging and Dilution on the Crystallization of Silicalite-1

The correlation between the formation of colloidal aggregates and the crystallization of silicalite-1 from a clear solution has been investigated with in situ combined small-angle X-ray scattering and wide-angle X-ray scattering, and in situ ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering using synchrotron radiation. Increasing the aging time at room temperature of the synthesis mixture prior to heating to the reaction temperature reduced the induction period and increased the crystal growth rate without affecting the formation of colloidal aggregates. Dilution of the synthesis mixtures did not influence the nucleation and crystal growth rate, and did not affect the formation of colloidal aggregates.