Rapid synthesis of zeolite P from potassic rocks by gel‐like‐solid phase method

Abstract

AbstractA facile, rapid, and energy‐saving gel‐like‐solid method was applied to prepare zeolites from natural minerals. Using potassic rocks (PRs) activated by the alkali fusion decomposition method together with silica‐alumina xerogel as silicon‐ and aluminum‐species, zeolite P has been successfully synthesized via gel‐like‐solid phase method. The effects of crystallization time (t), crystallization temperature (T), m (PRs)/m (xerogel) ratios, and n(H2O)/n (SiO2) ratios on the crystallinity and morphology of zeolite P were investigated. The optimal synthesis conditions were m (PRs)/m (xerogel) of 0.185, n(H2O)/n (SiO2) of 28.12, crystallization t of 3 h, and crystallization T of 140°C. The synthesized zeolite P featuring high crystallinity possessed spherical morphology aggregated by small grains and was applied in the ion exchange for Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions. The maximum Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions exchange capacities of zeolite P could reach 415 mgCaCO3·g−1 and 162 mgMgCO3·g−1, respectively. Compared with other published materials, the synthesized zeolite P exhibited satisfactory Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions exchange capacities. The above results demonstrated that the gel‐like‐solid phase method could shorten the crystallization t and enhance the crystallinity of zeolites synthesized from natural minerals and solid waste, showing a great potential in actual applications.