A seed crystal is a crystal of zeolite that is to be deposited on a support when producing a zeolite membrane complex that includes the support and a zeolite membrane formed on the support. A volume-cumulative particle size distribution of the seed crystal, measured by a laser diffraction scattering method, has a coefficient of variation of 0.5 or less and a kurtosis of 5 or less. Use of these seed crystals improves the bonding of zeolite crystals when producing the zeolite membrane. As a result, a dense zeolite membrane can be formed.

A seed crystal is a crystal of zeolite that is to be deposited on a support when producing a zeolite membrane complex that includes the support and a zeolite membrane formed on the support. A volume-cumulative particle size distribution of the seed crystal, measured by a laser diffraction scattering method, has a coefficient of variation of 0.5 or less and a kurtosis of 5 or less. Use of these seed crystals improves the bonding of zeolite crystals when producing the zeolite membrane. As a result, a dense zeolite membrane can be formed.

It is provided a method for obtaining mesoporous silica particles with surface functionalisation comprising the steps of a) providing solutions of at least three precursors; wherein the pH of the mixture is adjusted to a range between 2 and 8 in a buffered system; b) Mixing the precursor solutions thereby allowing a reaction to take place at a temperature between 20 and 60 C., whereby surface functionalized mesoporous silica particles as solid reaction product are formed; c) Separating the surface functionalized mesoporous silica particles from the reaction mixture by centrifugation or filtration; d) Removing any pore structure directing agent present in the pores of the formed surface functionalized mesoporous silica particles by ultrasonication; e) followed by separation by centrifugation or filtration, washing and drying of the surface functionalized mesoporous silica particles.

The invention relates to a method for producing functionalised bimodal periodic mesoporous organosilicates (PMOs) by means of pseudomorphic transformation, to functionalised bimodal periodic mesoporous organosilicates (PMOs) that comprise at least one organosilicate and at least one functional component, and to the use of the PMO as a filter material, adsorption means, sensor material or carrier material for pharmaceutical products, insecticides or pesticides.

The invention relates to a method for producing functionalised bimodal periodic mesoporous organosilicates (PMOs) by means of pseudomorphic transformation, to functionalised bimodal periodic mesoporous organosilicates (PMOs) that comprise at least one organosilicate and at least one functional component, and to the use of the PMO as a filter material, adsorption means, sensor material or carrier material for pharmaceutical products, insecticides or pesticides.

An organic-base functionalized silicalite-1 molecular sieve-encapsulated metal nanoparticles catalyst and a preparation method therefor, as well as a method for preparing 1,2-pentanediol from biomass-derived furfuryl alcohol by hydrogenolysis using said catalyst. When the catalyst is used in a reaction preparing 1,2-pentanediol from furfuryl alcohol by hydrogenolysis, the catalyst has high hydrogenolysis activity under relatively mild reaction conditions, significantly increasing the conversion rate of furfuryl alcohol and 1,2-pentanediol selectivity in the reaction, while also not generating obvious byproducts furfuryl alcohol polymers; the catalyst has good stability and long life, and may be recovered for reuse after the reaction is complete by means of a simple filtration, greatly reducing reaction costs and separation difficulty.

A method of synthesising a molecular sieve of DDR framework type. The method comprises: preparing a synthesis mixture capable of forming a molecular sieve of DDR framework type, said synthesis mixture comprising water, a silicon source, optionally a source of a trivalent element X, optionally a source of a pentavalent element Z, optionally a source of hydroxide ions, optionally a source of a metal cation M, a structure directing agent, and seed crystals having a framework type selected from CHA and LEV; said synthesis mixture being substantially free from fluoride ions; heating said synthesis mixture under static crystallization conditions for a time sufficient to form crystals of said molecular sieve of DDR framework type, said crystallization conditions including a temperature of from 100 C. to 220 C.; and, recovering said crystals of the molecular sieve of DDR framework type from the synthesis mixture.

A method of synthesising a molecular sieve of DDR framework type. The method comprises: preparing a synthesis mixture capable of forming a molecular sieve of DDR framework type, said synthesis mixture comprising water, a silicon source, optionally a source of a trivalent element X, optionally a source of a pentavalent element Z, optionally a source of hydroxide ions, optionally a source of a metal cation M, a structure directing agent, and seed crystals having a framework type selected from CHA and LEV; said synthesis mixture being substantially free from fluoride ions; heating said synthesis mixture under static crystallization conditions for a time sufficient to form crystals of said molecular sieve of DDR framework type, said crystallization conditions including a temperature of from 100 C. to 220 C.; and, recovering said crystals of the molecular sieve of DDR framework type from the synthesis mixture.

This invention provides a method for detecting an analyte in a sample, including a step of contacting said analyte with a nanoparticle to facilitate binding thereto, wherein the nanoparticle comprises: (i) a core; (ii) pores extending radially from said core and being defined by spaces between an array of dendritic spikes radiating outwardly from a surface of the core, wherein the pores have an average pore size of between about 10 nm and about 20 nm; (iii) a binding agent for binding the analyte; and (iv) a detection agent immobilized within said pores; to thereby detect said analyte. This invention also provides kits, compositions and products comprising said nanoparticle.

This invention provides a method for detecting an analyte in a sample, including a step of contacting said analyte with a nanoparticle to facilitate binding thereto, wherein the nanoparticle comprises: (i) a core; (ii) pores extending radially from said core and being defined by spaces between an array of dendritic spikes radiating outwardly from a surface of the core, wherein the pores have an average pore size of between about 10 nm and about 20 nm; (iii) a binding agent for binding the analyte; and (iv) a detection agent immobilized within said pores; to thereby detect said analyte. This invention also provides kits, compositions and products comprising said nanoparticle.