Effect of kaolin pre-treatment method and NaOH levels on the structure and properties of kaolin-derived faujasite zeolites

Stephen Otieno,Robert Mokaya,Chrispin Kowenje,Fredrick Kengara

doi:10.1039/d1ma00449b

Stephen Otieno, Robert Mokaya + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1039/d1ma00449b

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Abstract

The zeolite type prepared from kaolin depends on the mode of fusion of the clay with zeolite Y and X generated, respectively, from partial or full fusion. Wet mixing of clay with NaOH followed by dry fusion optimises formation of zeolite X.

Highlights

Zeolites are important materials for various applications, including catalysis, detergents, water purification, and agriculture
For the synthesis of faujasite zeolites using kaolin as a starting material, the resulting zeolite structure depends on the hydrogel composition and the synthesis conditions and on the fusion conditions, i.e., the amount of NaOH used in the fusion step
For hydrogels with the same concentrations of starting materials, partial fusion of the kaolin, involving limited quantities of NaOH leads to the formation of zeolite Y, while full fusion leads to the formation of zeolite X

Summary

Introduction

Zeolites are important materials for various applications, including catalysis, detergents, water purification, and agriculture. The advantage of using F-MK over MK in pre-treating kaolin is that it enables complete breakdown of the kaolinite structure and promotes dry reactions of other thermally stable mineral phases, such as quartz and muscovite, that are usually present in the raw materials.[5] The alkaline activation method improves the dissolution and reactivity of the kaolin components. This ensures that a large amount of aluminosilicate structural building units are

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