Thermal Stability and Surface Area Modification of Natural Zeolite Through HCl & NaCl Treatment to Apply in Pyrolysis Systems

Abstract

Pyrolysis technology relies on efficient catalyst materials to expedite the process and improve the quality of the final product. Modified natural zeolite has emerged as a promising heterogeneous catalyst in this regard. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of natural zeolite sourced from Tasikmalaya, West Java, with the primary aim of evaluating its potential as a catalyst. The samples underwent acid treatment procedures and were extensively characterized using BET, TGA, SEM-EDX, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and FT-IR tests. XRD results indicated that the predominant frame structure of the Indonesian raw natural zeolite was mordenite, with a Si/Al ratio ranging from 5.0 to 6.0 and a surface area of approximately 23 m2/g. Following the 1M HCl acid treatment, a significant enhancement in the Si/Al ratio to 7.8 and a considerable expansion in surface area to 125.37 m2/g were observed. Moreover, the natural zeolite demonstrated remarkable thermal stability, thus underscoring its potential as a highly suitable catalyst for various pyrolysis applications.