Synthesis of a high-quality NaP zeolite from epidesmine by a hydrothermal method

Epidesmine as a silicon source was used to synthesize NaP zeolite by a hydrothermal method. Parameters such as \(\hbox {SiO}_{{2}}\)/\(\hbox {Al}_{{2}}\hbox {O}_{{3}}\) and \(\hbox {H}_{{2}}\hbox {O}\)/\(\hbox {Na}_{{2}}\hbox {O}\) molar ratios, reaction temperatures and reaction times were investigated for regulating the purity of the final product. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope. The experimental results evidenced that a high-quality NaP zeolite was obtained at \(\hbox {SiO}_{{2}}\)/\(\hbox {Al}_{{2}}\hbox {O}_{{3}}\) and \(\hbox {H}_{{2}}\hbox {O}\)/\(\hbox {Na}_{{2}}\hbox {O}\) molar ratios of 3.7 and 55, respectively, and at a temperature of \(95^{\circ }\hbox {C}\) for 6.5 h of ageing. The BET surface area and total pore volume of the powders were \(17.1359\,\hbox {m}^{2}\,\hbox {g}^{-1}\) and \(0.006845\,\hbox {cm}^{3}\,\hbox {g}^{-1}\), and the pore size was \({\sim }3.2\,\upmu \hbox {m}\).