Synthesis and characterization of LTA-type zeolite by microwave-assisted hydrothermal process

Abstract

LTA-type zeolites were synthesized by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal process and conventional hydrothermal process. Obtained products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and X-ray absorption near edge structure measurements and their microstructures were observed by scanning electron microscopy. In this study, the effects of microwave-assisted hydrothermal process on the morphology (particle size etc) and microstructures for the LTA-type zeolite were mainly examined. As a result, the crystallization of precursor gel of LTA was rapidly carried out by the exposure of microwave for a significantly short term and consequently LTA-type zeolite obtained by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal process had well-defined cubic facet and moreover the small average particle size, compared with the samples obtained by conventional hydrothermal process.