Synthesis of Zeolites and Zeotypes by Hydrothermal transformation of Kaolinite and Metakaolinite.

Abstract

The synthesis of zeolitic materials by hydrothermal transformation of kaolinite and metakaolinite in NaOH solutions of various concentrations was investigated between 100 and 200 degrees C, over different reaction times, using in some cases precipitated SiO2 or organic templates. Materials were obtained, including clathrasils: cancrinite (CAN), sodalite (SOD), and Linde Type A (LTA), faujasite (FAU), NaP1 (GIS), analcime (ANA) and nepheline hydrate I (JBW) zeolites. In general, co-crystallization of CAN and SOD, likely via an unstable LTA zeolite intermediate, was observed after dissolution of kaolinite at low temperature; although the feldspathoids tend to be unstable at high temperature. LTA zeolite was synthesized after metakaolinite reaction, with minor amount of FAU zeolite, ANA and SOD. Solids were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).