Zeolite NaA was successfully synthesized from low-grade kaolin via hydrothermal synthesis method. The properties of the zeolite NaA were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and thermogravimetry (TG)-differential thermal analysis (DTA). TEM analysis indicated the formation of body-centered cubic crystal zeolite NaA and the polycrystallinity of the zeolite NaA structure. The textural properties of the zeolite NaA were further studied by N-2 adsorption-desorption technique. In addition, the TG-DTA study confirmed that the heat treatment temperature of the zeolite NaA should be controlled below 600 degrees C.

Kaolin; Zeolite NaA; hydrothermal synthesis

GuiZhou University; Lanzhou University of Technology