Structure determination of zeolites and ordered mesoporous materials by electron crystallography.

Structure determination of porous materials is important for understanding the materials properties and exploiting their applications. Compared to X-ray diffraction, electron crystallography has two unique advantages. Crystals that are too small to be studied by X-ray diffraction can be studied by electron crystallography. The structure factor phase information, which is lost in diffraction, can be obtained from high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images. Here we will present different techniques and applications of electron crystallography for structure determination of zeolites and ordered mesoporous materials, based on electron diffraction data and/or HRTEM images. Electron crystallography and X-ray diffraction are complementary in many aspects. Their combinations show great potentials for structure determination of complex porous materials.