Structural Features and Zeolite Stability: A Linearized Equation Approach

Zeolite stability, in terms of lattice energy, is revisited from a crystal-chemistry point of view. A linearized equation relates the zeolite lattice energy using simple structural data readily available from experiments or modeling. The equation holds for a large range of zeolite energies, up to 3 eV per tetrahedron with respect to quartz, and has been validated internally via two simple machine learning automatic procedures for data fitting/reference partitions and externally using data from recently synthesized zeolites. The approach is certain in locating those recently synthesized zeolites in the energy range of those experimentally known zeolites used in the parametrization of the linearized equation. Hidden intrinsic structural data-energy correlations were found for data sets built from energy-relaxed structures along with energy values computed using the same energy functions employed in the structural relaxation. The asymmetry of the structural features is relevant for an accurate description of the energy.