Green Preparation of Self-Forming Type A Zeolite Foam from Activated Rectorite

doi:10.16552/j.cnki.issn1001-1625.2025.0864

Abstract

Abstract: In order to break through the limitations of traditional zeolites, which rely on chemical raw materials and additional binders for shaping, this study adopted thermal activation to prepare activated rectorite and explored the feasibility of synthesizing self-forming type A zeolite from it via a quasi-solid-state method. The effect of calcination at 600~1 000 ℃ on the physicochemical properties of rectorite ore was investigated. The results of XRD, FTIR, and SEM show that the framework structure of rectorite is completely destroyed after calcination at 1 000 ℃, SiO₄ tetrahedral units are distorted, while AlO₆ octahedral units decompose. However, the chemical composition of rectorite remains basically stable. Synthesis experiments demonstrate that using rectorite activated at 1 000 ℃ as the raw material, under the induction of type 4A zeolite seed crystals, high-purity self-forming type A zeolite foam could be directly formed under the following conditions: Na₂O/Al₂O₃ molar ratio of 1.00, H₂O/Na₂O molar ratio of 14.50, and crystallization at 70 ℃ for 24 h. The results of SEM, XRD, and other techniques reveal that the self-forming type A zeolite exhibits a relatively regular cubic lamorphology, with dense stacking between particles. A self-forming type A zeolite foam with a compressive strength of 1.45 MPa is formed without the need for additional binders. This method provides a new approach for the resource utilization of rectorite and the green, low-cost preparation of bodying zeolites.

Key words: type A zeolite, thermal activation, rectorite, self-forming, porous, bodying

CLC Number:

TQ424.25

QIU Xiumei, LIU Yi, LIU Yadong, CAI Hao, LIU Yedongyang, LIANG Yaqi. Green Preparation of Self-Forming Type A Zeolite Foam from Activated Rectorite[J]. BULLETIN OF THE CHINESE CERAMIC SOCIETY, 2025, 44(12): 4623-4632.

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