Modification of crystallite morphology during synthesis of LTA zeolite using triethanolamine as additive

Abstract

For the transformation of metakaolinite into LTA (Linde type A) zeolite, we studied the influence of the concentration of Al and Si on the size and shape of the crystals produced. A mixed water–triethanolamine medium was utilized for the synthesis, so as to produce larger crystals enabling the use of SEM to reveal modifications of crystal habits. It was found that variation in starting concentration strongly affects the characteristics mentioned above, since the morphology changes obtained were such that the particles ranged from sharp-edged cube-like average-sized particles of 25 μm to truncated octahedra of 5 μm average size.