Molecular dynamics simulations were used to obtain a detailed understanding of the self-diffusion of methanol in NaY zeolite. A force-field term was derived with which to describe the interactions between methanol molecules and extra framework cations. Via the simulations, it was shown that diffusive behavior in the high-temperature range consisted of a combination of both short- and long-range motions at low and intermediate loadings. This type of motion was characterized by an activation energy that decreased as the loading increased. At low loadings, short-range diffusive behavior based upon a surface-mediated mechanism was also observed. The short-range behavior corresponded to motion only on the length-scale of an FAU super-cage, whereas the long-range behavior involved intercage diffusion. At saturation loading, corresponding to 96 methanol molecules per unit cell, only short-range motion within the same super-cage predominated.

Diffusion of Methanol in Zeolite NaY: a Molecular Dynamics Study. D.F.Plant, G.Maurin, R.G.Bell: Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2007, 111[11], 2836-44

 

Table 55

Calculated Diffusion Coefficients for Methanol in NaY Zeolite

 

Loading(mol/unit-cell)

Temperature (K)

D(m2/s)

8

400

4.713 x 10-11

8

450

6.102 x 10-11

8

500

5.785 x 10-10

8

550

9.037 x 10-10

8

600

1.139 x 10-9

8

650

2.069 x 10-9

8

700

2.989 x 10-9

16

450

3.134 x 10-10

16

500

4.828 x 10-10

continued

 

Table 55 (continued)

Calculated Diffusion Coefficients for Methanol in NaY Zeolite

 

Loading(mol/unit-cell)

Temperature (K)

D(m2/s)

8

400

4.713 x 10-11

8

450

6.102 x 10-11

8

500

5.785 x 10-10

8

550

9.037 x 10-10

8

600

1.139 x 10-9

8

650

2.069 x 10-9

8

700

2.989 x 10-9

16

450

3.134 x 10-10

16

500

4.828 x 10-10

16

550

1.414 x 10-9

16

600

1.931 x 10-9

16

650

2.304 x 10-9

16

700

3.030 x 10-9

32

400

3.603 x 10-10

32

450

4.205 x 10-10

32

500

7.230 x 10-10

32

550

1.519 x 10-9

32

600

2.075 x 10-9

32

650

2.580 x 10-9

32

700

3.165 x 10-9

48

500

2.885 x 10-10

48

550

5.487 x 10-10

48

600

6.229 x 10-10

48

650

9.719 x 10-10

48

700

1.094 x 10-9