# Crystal Growth and Morphology Control of SCM-10 Zeolites

## TL;DR

This paper explores how to control the shape and growth of SCM-10 zeolite crystals by adjusting synthesis conditions and heteroatom substitution.

## Contribution

The study establishes specific rules for morphology control of SCM-10 zeolites through synthesis parameters and heteroatom substitution.

## Key findings

- SCM-10 crystallizes via an induction period followed by rapid growth, forming needle-like crystals.
- Changing SiO2/B2O3 ratio alters morphology from needles to plates, while higher crystallization temperatures produce nanowires.
- Heteroatom substitution (Al, V, Fe, Ge) leads to distinct morphology changes, including nanoparticles and nanowires.

## Abstract

SCM-10 is an SFE-type borosilicate zeolite featuring one-dimensional 12-ring channels and holds promise for catalytic and separation applications, yet its crystallization and morphology control remain insufficiently understood. Herein, we investigate the crystallization of SCM-10 and elucidate the effects of synthesis parameters, including SiO2/B2O3, OSDA/SiO2, and H2O/SiO2 molar ratios, crystallization temperature, and heteroatom substitution, on crystal morphology. SCM-10 crystallizes via an induction period (30 h) followed by rapid crystal growth (12 h), yielding uniform needle-like crystals with dimensions of 0.05 × 1 μm (diameter × length; aspect ratio = 20). Increasing the SiO2/B2O3 ratio induces a morphology transition from needles to plates, whereas variations in the OSDA/SiO2 and H2O/SiO2 ratios largely preserve the needle-like morphology. Elevating the crystallization temperature transforms needles into nanowires, with the aspect ratio rising to 83 (0.03 × 2.5 μm). Heteroatom substitution further induces distinct morphology modulation: Al yields nanoparticles (100 nm), V shortens crystal lengths to 500 nm (50 × 500 nm; aspect ratio = 10), Fe produces nanowires (0.02 × 1.3 μm; aspect ratio = 65), and Ge forms peanut-like needle aggregates (0.05 × 10 μm; aspect ratio = 200). This work establishes morphology-regulation rules for SCM-10, enabling the rational design of tailored morphologies for applications.