Obtaining and preliminary structural characterization of membranes of zeolite through the PLD technique

Full text: This paper presents the preliminary results of the obtaining of membranes of natural zeolites exchanged with metal species through the Pulsed Laser technique Deposition(PLD). The ultimate goal of this work is to obtain membranes zeolite that can serve as matrices or different species (nanoparticles) supports Active stable and controlled environment release. This material is oriented to biomedical applications. The microbiocidal effect of zeolites containing ion or metallic nanoparticles with oligodynamic properties is widely reported in the literature. The material used zeolitic was purified natural clinoptilolite, NZ Site Tasajeras (Villa Clara, Cuba), which is a mixture of around 70% of clinoptilolite heulandita, and mordenite and 30% of other phases (feldspars, quartz). Ag-clinoptilolite and Feclinoptilota were obtained from the audio Exchange NZ natural zeolite with solutions of silver nitrate and sulphate of iron (II) respectively. The experimental arrangement used for the manufacture of the thin films of NZ consists of a vacuum chamber pumped up to a final pressure of - 1 x 10 - 7 mbar with a pump turbo molecular. Zeolite ablation was performed in atmosphere of Argon of high purity, using the second harmonic of a Quantel Brillant Nd: YAG laser (532nm, 4ns, 20 Hz) Q-Switch contract.) Pulse energy, measured at the surface of the target was 80 MJ, resulting in a yield of 20 J / cm2. The laser beam was focused with a lens of 30 cm of focus at 45° incidence on the target surface. The target was rotated during growth to prevent irradiation of the same area. The distance white glass substrate was maintained at 5 cm. The flow of Argon in the Chamber was regulated through a driver Shimadzu FC-40, keeping constant pressure of the Argon 0.5 mbar during growth. To improve the cleaning of the surface of the substrate and consequently the adhesion of the film in the same East was subjected to an initial treatment of RF. Preliminary analysis by diffraction - X find the growth of a thin layer of amorphous material. Techniques of characterization by scanning electron microscopy and absorption are being carried out. Obtained amorphous layers are subjected to hydrothermal treatment to enhance the crystallinity of the material. (author)