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Martin D Foster

Publications and source records attributed to Martin D Foster.

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Hypothetical binodal zeolitic frameworks.

Hypothetical binodal zeolitic structures (structures containing two kinds of tetrahedral sites) were systematically enumerated using tiling theory and characterized by computational chemistry methods. Each of the 109 refineable topologies based on "simple tilings" was converted into a silica polymorph and its energy minimized using the GULP program with the Sanders-Catlow silica potential. Optimized structural parameters, framework energies relative to alpha-quartz and volumes accessible to sorption have been calculated. Eleven of the 30 known binodal topologies listed in the Atlas of Zeolite Framework Types were found, leaving 98 topologies that were unknown previously. The chemical feasibility of each structure as a zeolite was evaluated by means of a feasibility factor derived from the correlation between lattice energy and framework density. Structures are divided into 15 families, based on common structural features. Many "feasible" structures contain only small pores. Several very open structures were also enumerated, although they contain three-membered rings which are thermodynamically disfavoured and not found in conventional zeolites. We believe that such topologies may be realizable as framework materials, but with different elemental compositions to those normally associated with zeolites.

Computing Methodologies↗

Chemical evaluation of hypothetical uninodal zeolites.

Optimized structural parameters, framework energies relative to alpha-quartz, and volumes accessible to sorption have been calculated for the systematically enumerated hypothetical uninodal zeolitic structures (structures in which all tetrahedral sites are equivalent). The structures were treated as silica polymorphs, and their energies were minimized using the GULP program with the Sanders-Catlow silica potential. Results are given for 164 structures, which include all 21 known uninodal zeolites, two known minerals (tridymite and cristobalite), and 78 unknown zeolite topologies. Twenty-three hypothetical structures were identified as chemically feasible. Complete structural information is provided, and several structures are discussed in detail. The results will assist in the design of new synthetic routes and in the identification of newly synthesized materials.

Journal Article↗

Chemically feasible hypothetical crystalline networks.

Our systematic enumeration of 4-connected crystalline networks (that is, networks in which each atom is connected to exactly four neighbours) used recent advances in tiling theory to evolve over 900 topologies. The results are relevant to the structures of zeolites and other silicates, aluminophosphates (AlPOs), oxides, nitrides, chalcogenides, halides, carbon networks, and even to polyhedral bubbles in foams. Given their importance as molecular sieves, ion exchangers, catalysts and catalyst supports, we have applied the results to microporous aluminosilicates and aluminophosphates (zeolites). Zeolite chemistry has to date produced 152 distinct types of structure. However, it was always clear that although many further structures can be synthesised, only a fraction of the mathematically generated networks would be chemically feasible (many are 'strained' frameworks requiring unrealistic bond lengths and bond angles), and that an effective 'filtering' process is needed to identify the most plausible frameworks. Here, we describe the use of computational chemistry methods to calculate optimized structural parameters, framework energies relative to alpha-quartz, volumes accessible to sorption, and X-ray diffraction patterns for systematically enumerated hypothetical 4-connected crystalline frameworks. Structures were treated as silica polymorphs with the empirical formula SiO(2), and their energies were minimized.

Crystallization↗