Effect of synthesis pH and H2O molar ratio on the structure and morphology of aluminum phosphate (AlPO-5) molecular sieves

AlPO-5 molecular sieves were prepared by the hydrothermal reaction of a gel mixture with the following compositions: Al2O3:P2O5:Et3N:H2O = 1:1:1.5:x, where x is between 100 and 750 H2O molar ratio. The structure and morphology of the AlPO-5 molecular sieves depend on the gel mixture's composition, hydrothermal temperature, hydrothermal reaction time, and H. Without H control, the AlPO-5 structure changed from a spherical shape at H2O = 100 to a hexagonal pillar shape at H2O = 450. With pH control in the range of about 2.5-3.5, the hexagonal pillar crystals began to form at H2O = 100 and an island of hexagonal pillars with radiation form appeared at H2O = 300-450 due to the formation of a tridymite type of dense AlPO4 phase. It appears that the formation rate of hexagonal pillar crystals to form a dense AlPO4 phase is favorable under acidic conditions, and an amorphous AlPO-5 structure forms under basic conditions. Thus, the H2O concentration and pH value have a dramatic effect on the AlPO-5 structure.