Synthesis, characterization, and formation process of Na-X zeolite from coal fly ash

Using the SiO2 and Al2O3 components of the amorphous phase in coal fly ash (Fa), Fa was converted to Na-X zeolites in NaOH-NaAlO2 solutions by stirring at 35degreesC for 72 hr and then aging at 85degreesC for a given period. The molar ratio SiO2/Al2O3 of the starting materials was controlled from 2.0 to 13.2. The resulting materials were characterized by various means. Increasing the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of the starting material increased the degree of crystallinity of faujasite, exhibiting a maximum at SiO2/Al2O3 = 8.0. The faujasite formed was identified as Na-X zeolite with Si/Al = 1.20. The amorphous phase in Fa was dissolved during the stirring to form a precursor of zeolite, such as amorphous aluminosilicate. The Na-X zeolite was formed by aging for 24 hr, and the degree of crystallinity of this material was increased with the increasing aging period. The cation exchange capacity and specific surface area were increased with the increasing degree of crystallinity of the Na-X zeolites.