Preparation of porous P-type zeolite spheres with suspension solidification method

• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2015.09.062
• Publication Date: 2015-09-15T01:01:55Z
• Authors: Qing Tang; Yuan-yuan Ge; Kai-tuo Wang; Yan He; Xue-min Cui
• Keywords: Suspension; Metakaolin; Specific surface area

Abstract This paper describes a simple and effective process for fabricating porous P-type zeolite spheres from metakaolin-based geopolymers. The spheres are first synthesized by a suspension solidification method that is based on the rapid solidification mechanism of geopolymer slurries in high-temperature suspensions. The spheres are then transformed into zeolite by an in situ hydrothermal process at 140 °C for 10 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses indicated that the spheres are constructed by P-type zeolites. Analysis of the pore structure of geopolymer and zeolite spheres revealed that BET surface area is 4.21 m 2 /g and 42.08 m 2 /g, respectively. The increased surface area of the porous zeolite spheres is attributed to the use of sodium dodecyl sulfate (K 12 ). This work provides a possible way for continuous-mode water treatment.