The Open Mineralogy Journal
(Discontinued)
ISSN: 1874-4567 ― Volume 5, 2011
Synthesis of FAU Type Zeolite Y from Natural Raw Materials: Hydrothermal SiO2-Sinter and Perlite Glass
The Open Mineralogy Journal , 2008, 2: 1-5
George E. Christidis , Hara Papantoni
Technical University of Crete, Department of Mineral Resources Engineering, 73100 Chania, Greece.
Electronic publication date 23/1/2008
[DOI: 10.2174/1874456700080201000]
Abstract:
The first synthesis of pure FAU-type zeolite Y from a SiO2-sinter and perlite glass is presented. FAU-type Zeolite Y was synthesized at 95 ± 2°C after 6-12 hours using gels having SiO2:Al2O3:Na2O molar ratios of 8.4:1:4.2 and using gels with SiO2:Al2O3:Na2O molar ratios of 10.5:1:4.2 between 48 and 120 hours reaction time. Except for zeolite Y, zeolite NaPc, gmelinite-Na and the OH-analogue of sodalite were produced from starting gels with different composition. The cation exchange capacity of zeolite Y was 3.3 meq.g-1 and its specific surface area was 520-550 m2.g-1. Most of the specific surface area is allocated to micropores. Zeolite Y synthesized from gels with a SiO2:Al2O3 molar ratio of 10.5:1 has a lattice parameter parameter a○ = 24.747 Å and a Si/Al ratio 2:1. It is concluded that inexpensive raw materials such as volcanic glasses can be used for the production of high added value zeolite Y.