Christine Kirschhock, Sebastien Kremer Prof. Johan Martens, Prof. Pierre Jacobs Centre for surface chemistry and catalysis K.U. Leuven NANOSLAB

Experiment Team –Investigator University of Leuven (B) –Prof. J. Martens, C. Kirschhock, S. Kremer –Payload developer Verhaert Design and Development, Kruibeke (B) –F. Preud’homme, L. Vautmans –Payload integrator Astrium GmbH, Friedrichshafen (D) –M. Zell –MSG Integration ESTEC –L. De Parolis –Discipline Center ESTEC –V. Pletser

What is NANOSLAB about? NANOSLAB is designed to study the aggregation of zeolite NANOSLABS into bulk zeolite. The obtained information will serve to optimize the zeolite synthesis on earth to improve the properties of the zeolite product. For this, samples of clear solution containing the NANOSLABS will be heated to 95°C. This induces the aggregation process of the NANOSLABS into successively larger units. To obtain series of samples corresponding to different stages of the process, sample cartidges will be heated with a time delay. A quenching of all samples will then interrupt the aggregation process after different treatment times. A detailed analysis of the particle populations in the samples after retrieval will allow determination of the aggregation kinetics and will show the effect of convection and sedimentation on the formation of zeolite from NANOSLABS.

in the lab at home in MSG How are zeolites formed? Source materials for the framework How are zeolites formed? elemental building units dissolution TEMPLATE self-organisation NANOSLABS aggregation Product

How are NANOSLABS prepared?

Hardware items 10 ensembles of 3 sample cells (30 samples) Ensembles are mounted in a Sample unit grid (frame) with cover Bottom cover plate Handle (use handle from MSG airlock top lid) Thumb screws (use from MSG) E-box Harness There is NO transport container needed Where are the NANOSLABS treated? The NANOSLAB experiment

Where are the NANOSLABS treated? The NANOSLAB experiment

Where are the NANOSLABS treated? The NANOSLAB experiment

Where are the NANOSLABS treated? The NANOSLAB experiment

Where are the NANOSLABS treated? The NANOSLAB experiment

Short Experiment Flow Remove from stowage, visual inspection Install experiment inside MSG Activate experiment Ensembles sequentially heat up to 95°and are kept at that temperature (heat up time = 29 minutes) After 48 hrs, de-activate heaters.... Where are the NANOSLABS treated? The NANOSLAB experiment

Subnano Nanoslabs Tablets Subfit Slabfit Tabfit Nano Nanofit Volume / [%] t / [s] Volume/ [%] t/ [s] Subnano Nanoslabs Tablets Subfit Slabfit Tabfit Nano Nanofit Volume / [%] t /[s] Volume / [%] t /[s] Nanofit Interfit Bigfit Nanos Interme- diates Big Nanofit Interfit Bigfit Nanos Interme- diates Big MAXUS Experiment What happens to the NANOSLABS? Please do not overcook them!

Short Experiment Flow Remove from stowage, visual inspection Install experiment inside MSG Activate experiment Ensembles sequentially heat up to 95°and are kept at that temperature (heat up time = 29 minutes) After 48 hrs, de-activate heaters Quench all ensembles at same time (mechanism) Let experiment cool down (5.8 minutes to 60°C – 15 minutes total) Remove from MSG Where are the NANOSLABS treated? The NANOSLAB experiment

What are the meríts of NANOSLAB? Knowledge of the effects of convection and sedimentation on the aggregation of NANOSLABS will help during the development of tailor made zeolite materials like: Highly catalytically active zeolite coatings with high specifity Highly catalytically active zeolite coatings with high specifity Highly catalytically active zeolite membranes with high specifity and separation performance Highly catalytically active zeolite membranes with high specifity and separation performance Zeolite Sensors Zeolite electro-optical devices because: There is nothing a zeolite will not do (once you convinced it to do it….)