Zeolite coated fibers (abbreviated as ZCF) were successfully fabricated using carbon fibers as templates and nanozeolite as building block, through layer-by-layer assembly technique. After removal of the templates by calcination, intact hollow fibers of zeolite (abbreviated as HFZ) were also obtained. The optimum performance conditions for obtaining these types of materials were systematically studied. The pH value of the zeolite colloidal solution was a key factor affecting the fabrication of these zeolite coated fibers and hollow zeolite fibers. Other conditions, such as ionic strength of the dipping solution, drying the samples after every layer of zeolite nanocrystals deposited and adsorbing a PDDA layer on the silicalite-1 coated carbon fibers before drying also had influence on fabricating intact fibers. The wall thickness and composition of these novel materials could be readily tailored by varying the number of nanozeolite/PDDA [poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride)] deposition cycles and zeolite types used, respectively. The hollow zeolite fibers with hybrid walls were also fabricated through stepwise deposition of different kinds of nanozeolites.

Key words: ASSEMBLING, MOLECULAR SIEVE, CARBON FIBERS, ZEOLITE, NANOPHASE MATERIALS