An aqueous-based synthesis of flower-like hydroxy sodalite particles in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide

Abstract

Hydroxy sodalite (HS) particles were synthesized hydrothermally at 90°C for 10 h in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and other aqua-based precursor materials like sodium aluminate, sodium metasilicate, and water. Crystalline phases and microstructures of the synthesized particles were studied by X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The effect of CTAB concentrations on the crystallinity and morphology of the synthesized particles was investigated. Thread-ball like HS particles along with some cube-shaped zeolite A were obtained in the presence of 0-0.5 mM CTAB while flower-like HS particles were observed in the presence of 1-5 mM of CTAB concentrations. With increase in CTAB concentration, HS phase increased significantly, and phase pure HS particles resulted for 3 and 5 mM of CTAB concentrations. A mechanism for the formation of flower-like HS particles was also proposed. © 2011 The American Ceramic Society.