Synthesis, Characterisation and Mechanism of Novel Ca-ZSM-5 Zeolite Nanocomposite from Eggshell using Simple Co-Precipitation Method

Abstract

In this study, Ca-ZSM-5 zeolite nanocomposite was synthesised as controlled-released fertiliser due to the excess of nutrients leaching in the soil which has caused serious environmental problem such as eutrophication. The zeolite nanocomposite was first synthesised using a simple co-precipitation template method. The zeolite nanocomposite was then impregnated with calcium, originated from chicken eggshell powder, at a molar ratio of 1:1. The physical and chemical properties of Ca-ZSM-5 zeolite nanocomposite were characterised using several analytical instruments such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometer, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Spectrometer and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Based on SEM analysis, the porosity of mesoporous H-ZSM-5 nanozeolite was in the range of 31.7 to 190 nm. Meanwhile, the porosity of macroporous eggshell was 71.4 to 230 nm and mesoporous H-ZSM-5 nanozeolite material was impregnated into the macroporous eggshell due to porosity of eggshell was larger than porosity of H-ZSM-5 nanozeolite. Ca-ZSM-5 zeolite nanocomposite with porosity of 71.4-198 nm was successfully synthesised by simple co-precipitation method. While the results obtained from FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of tetrahedral (TOx, x = Si or Al) stretching. Overall, the synthesised Ca-ZSM-5 zeolite nanocomposite possess key characteristic as a precursor for various applications.