Fast removal of the acid properties in the NaX zeolite by ion-exchange under microwave heating

Abstract

Ion-exchange of sodium by potassium in NaX zeolite employing heating by microwave radiation was produced rapidly, even when the volume of the exchange solution was reduced to conditions close to incipient wetness. Under these conditions the structural features (framework, Si/Al ratio, etc.) were retained. Toluene alkylation with methanol was carried out as a catalytic test to examine the acid–base properties of the ion-exchange X zeolites. Acid properties of the NaX zeolite was cancelled for a potassium content of about 50 atoms per unit cell. This is important to control the acid–base properties of the zeolites.