Synthesis and Characterization of ZSM-5 Zeolite Using Kaolin as Si and Al Source

Abstract

The objective of this work is to obtain synthesis of ZSM-5 zeolite using kaolin as Si and Al alternative source. Kaolin powder was dispersed under constant stirring into the sílica sol where the mass ratio of kaolin to silica was 1:2. After stirring for 2 hours, the dispersion was dried at 160 °C and calcined at 700 °C/2 hours. The synthesis of ZSM-5 zeolite was by hydrothermal treatment at 170 °C/48 hours under autogenous pressure. The materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX, BET. According to the XRD, was possible to observe the formation of ZSM-5 zeolite with intense and well defined peaks set located between 2θ = 7-9° and 23-25°, typical of a crystalline material. The SEM showed the formation of particles clusters with orthorhombic shape characteristic of MFI structure. The results show that the hydrothermal treatment was efficient to produce ZSM-5 using calcined kaolin as alternative source.