Zeolitic rocks used as pigment for ceiling paints. Activation of the rock

Abstract The performance of a zeolitic rock, mainly clinoptilolite, was evaluated in ceiling paints, due to its adsorption properties. Natural and heated at 350 and at 800 °C materials were tested. The mineralogical and petrographical composition of the zeolitic rock as well as the chemical composition and thermal behavior were studied. Ceiling paints, with a PVC of 75% and 11.3% (by volume) of zeolitic rock were formulated. The behavior of the paints was assessed by humidity and ammonium adsorption tests and by adsorption–desorption cycles. A paint formulated without zeolitic rock was used as a blank. Higher adsorption values were obtained when using heated zeolitic rock in the formulation. The cyclic essays performed showed that the adsorption properties of the paints were half recovered within three hours.