On the potential of positron lifetime spectroscopy for the study of early stages of zeolites formation from their amorphous precursors

The applicability of positron lifetime (LT) spectroscopy to the study of progress of formation of Secondary Building Units (SBU) in gels yielding in FAU and LTA type zeolites was investigated. Samples were prepared from aluminosilicate gels with various degrees of local structural order. LT measurements were performed at room temperature in air and in vacuum. Coexistence of annihilation modi with long lifetime components was shown; a correlation with precursors of nucleation and type of exchanged ions was also indicated.