One-pot synthesis of NaA and NaP zeolite powders using agro-waste material and other low cost organic-free precursors

NaA and NaP zeolite powders were synthesized by hydrothermal condition at 100 degrees C/15-96 h using agro-waste material, rice husk ash as silica source in the presence of other organic-free low cost precursors like aluminum foil, sodium hydroxide and water. The powders were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, N-2 physisorption studies, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The BET surface area values of NaA and NaP powders were in the range of 348-179 m(2) g(-1) and 129-85 m(2) g(-1), respectively. FESEM images showed flower-like morphology for the NaA powders obtained at 100 degrees C/15 h, and broken cashew-nut-like morphology for the NaP powders synthesized at 100 degrees C/72 h. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.