We have used density functional theory, both within the local
density (LDA) and generalized gradient (GGA)
approximations, to study the structure, energetics, and vibrational
properties of zeolite offretite in the presence
of different monovalent cations (H+, Na+,
K+, and Cu+). We find that the spatial
locations of the most
favorable cation-binding sites are similar for the different cations,
being related to the minima of the electrostatic
potential. However, the relative stability of the sites does
depend on the nature of the counterion, as well as
on the Al/Si ratio and on the mutual interactions between cations.
At low Al/Si ratios, the preferred site for
H+ is in the channel, where it is accessible for reaction
with incoming molecules. For both Na+ and
Cu+, the
most stable site is within the 6-fold ring of the gmelinite cage, but
for Na+, two other sites are present within
a few tenths of a kilocalorie/mole from the lowest site (small site
selectivity). For K+, two sites, one
inside
the cancrinite cage and the other near the 8-fold ring of the gmelinite
cage, are very close in energy, consistent
with the X-ray experiments on natural hydrated and dehydrated
offretites. Dynamical simulations have been
carried out for H− and Na−offretite. The vibrational spectrum
of the framework agrees well with the available
experiment. OH stretching frequencies calculated for a number of
different H+ locations show that more
“open” positions, e.g., in the channel, have higher frequencies, in
agreement with experiment.