Conversion and characterization of synthetic zeolite using low grade kaolin from Mersing area of Johor

Abstract

The pursuit for cheap, eco-friendly and greener starting material that is suitable for the synthesis of zeolite directed the attention of researchers on adaptation of kaolinite minerals for zeolite production. In view of that, a low grade kaolin which is obtained from Mersing area of Johor state in peninsular Malaysia was utilized for the synthesis of zeolite though hydrothermal process at lower temperature without any addition of Structural Directing Agent (SDA). The synthesized zeolite was then analyzed using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the potentials of the process and the product. The outcome of the analysis suggests that the Mersing kaolin is suitable for zeolite production and the metakaolinization at 700 °C for 2 hours improves the raw material reactivity and invariably influences the synthesis process and the product. The synthesis process conducted as a low temperature (90 °C) for 9 hours was able to produce zeolites of good crystallinity. However, the presence of secondary phases informed the effect of the accompanied impurities.