Elucidation of a preparation method for copper ion-exchanged ZSM-5 samples exhibiting extremely efficient N₂-adsorption at room temperature: Effect of counter ions in the exchange solution

The adsorption of N₂ on a copper ion-exchanged ZSM-5 sample (CuZSM-5) prepared by ion exchange using an aqueous solution of copper propionate, Cu(C₂H₅COO)₂, was examined at room temperature by measuring the FT-IR spectra, adsorption isotherms and heat of adsorption. This sample was found to be extremely efficient in terms of N₂ adsorption with regard to both the amount and the energy (i.e., heat) of adsorption, compared with samples prepared by a conventional ion-exchange method using an aqueous solution involving Cu²⁺ and simple counter ions, Cl^- or NO₃^-. To clarify the specificity of the newly-prepared sample, the ion-exchange of ZSM-5 with Cu²⁺ was carried out by employing aqueous solutions involving Cu²⁺ and various types of counter ions [propionate (C₂H₅COO^-), acetate (CH₃COO^-), formate (HCOO^-), chloride (Cl^-) and nitrate (NO₃^-) ions]. When the ion exchange was performed by using a Cu(C₂H₅COO)₂ or Cu(CH₃COO)₂ solution, the Cu²⁺ species with propionate or acetate ligand (in the monomer state) were ion-exchanged in ZSM-5, as confirmed by the DR, EPR and FT-IR spectra for CuZSM-5. In contrast, Cu²⁺ species were present in the form of aquo-complexes in samples prepared with other solutions. This distinct difference can be ascribed to the difference in the pK_a values of the counter ions; carboxylate ions, with a high pK_a value, are inclined to form a complex with Cu²⁺. Using this newly applied Cu(C₂H₅COO)₂ solution, the present ion-exchange method has the potential to develop new effective materials that possess the specific adsorption and catalytic properties of CuZSM-5.