The crystal morphology of zeolite A. The effects of the source of the reagents

This study investigates the effects of the variation in reagents on the synthesis of zeolite A. The synthesis was attempted under autogenic conditions and at temperatures of 100 (±1)°C and 70(±1)°C, using various aluminium and silicon sources. Preparation of the gels used silica and aluminium to form mixed systems of organic and inorganic reagent sources. Products formed were analysed and characterised instrumentally using X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Systems using aluminium isopropoxide consistently produced uniformly sized crystals, each having deep, chamfered edges. Sodium reagent sources produced sharp edged crystals. The system using tetraethyl-orthosilicate with aluminium powder produced a hexagonal morphology. The change in the hydroxide concentrations, relative to the systems using sodium silicate and sodium aluminate sources was also monitored, and while it had a marked effect on crystallinity and stability, the crystal morphology remained consistent.