Evolution of Zeolite Crystals in Self-Supporting Faujasite Blocks: Effects of Hydrothermal Conditions

In order to prepare self-supporting faujasite (FAU) zeolite, a self-supporting zeolite block was synthesized in situ by hydrothermal treatment of a metakaolin base geopolymer. The effects of hydrothermal conditions such as hydrothermal alkalinity, temperature and time on the phase composition, microstructure and mechanical strength of the hydrothermal samples were investigated and evidenced by a series of characterization methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET). The results showed that a self-supporting faujasite block could be obtained by hydrothermal treatment of the geopolymer block in 2 M NaOH solution at 90 °C for 24 h, which had high crystallinity, regular morphology and high compressive strength. The self-supporting zeolite block had a compressive strength of 11.7 MPa, a pore volume of 0.24 cm³/g, and an average pore diameter of 7.86 nm. The specific surface area and the microporous specific surface area of the self-supporting faujasite blocks were 80.36 m²/g and 19.7 m²/g, respectively.