Structural changes upon sorption and desorption of Xe from Cd-exchanged zeolite rho: a real-time synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction study

Xe has been trapped and controllably released from Cd-exchanged zeolite rho. The competitive sorption of H₂O into the Xe-loaded sample has been followed in real time using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and a position-sensitive detector. Rietveld refinement shows that upon exposure to the atmosphere, Xe is lost in two steps involving desorption firstly from the double 8-rings (D8R) and then single 6-rings (S6R). Essentially all the Xe is lost from the D8R in the first hour.