Electron beam sensitivity of zeolite L

This paper discusses me of the phenomenological aspects of electron beam damage of zeolites in the elektron microscope, with empjasis on changes in crystallite morphology and composition, Zeolite L is used as an example material. In agreement with previous observations on zeolites, damage rates are found to be most sensitive to the amount of water present in the structure and to the presence of framework aluminum. The presence of H⁺ and NH₄ ⁺ cations can significantly increase damage rates. The data suggest a dominating damage mechanism in which AlOSi connectivities are broken after attack by acidic species. This attack can occur following ionization of water by the elektron beam, or by beam-induced migration of H⁺ and NH₄ ⁺ non-framework cations.