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Updated: May 27, 2026
Organic Structure-directing Agent-free Synthesis for *BEA-type Zeolite Membrane
Published on: February 22, 2020
Structural analysis of zeolite NaA synthesized by a cost-effective hydrothermal method using kaolin and its use as
A R Loiola1, J C R A Andrade, J M Sasaki
1Laboratório de Físico-Química de Minerais e Catálise, Departamento de Química Orgânica e Inorgânica, Universidade Federal do Ceará, C.P. 6002, Campus do Pici, 60451-970 Fortaleza CE, Brazil.
Abstract:
Zeolite 4A (LTA) has been successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method, where kaolin was used as silica and alumina source. The synthesized zeolite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser granulometry, and FTIR spectroscopy. XRD data from the Rietveld refinement method confirmed only one crystallographic phase. Zeolite A morphology was observed by SEM analysis, and it showed well-defined crystals with slightly different sizes but with the same cubic shape. Particle size distribution of the crystals was confirmed by laser granulometry, whereas FTIR spectroscopy revealed significant structural differences between the starting material and the final zeolite product used as water softener.
