Hydrothermal Synthesis of Molecular Sieve Fibers: Using Microemulsions To Control Crystal Morphology

The aluminophosphate molecular sieve AlPO4-5 was prepared within a reverse microemulsion under hydrothermal conditions. The resulting crystals (see picture; scale 1 μm) display a novel fiberlike morphology with aspect ratios up to 100. The 100–200 nm thick fibers are aligned with the one-dimensional pores in the direction of the long axis of the fiber.