Effect of process parameters on surfactant-based synthesis of hydroxy sodalite particles

Abstract Hydroxy sodalite (HS) particles of different morphologies were synthesized by non-ionic surfactant-based water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion technique at 90 °C. Span 80 (HLB: 4.3), Span 20 (HLB: 8.6), and Tween 80 (HLB: 15) were used as nonionic surfactants. The effects of different surfactants as well as concentration and time variations of Span 80 on the synthesized particles were studied for understanding their crystallization and microstructural behaviors. The synthesized particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). FTIR and XRD studies confirmed the formation of HS particles under all the varied conditions. Urchin-shaped particles obtained from Span 80 disappeared with the formation of agglomerated particles consisting of rod-like grains and microspheres, and stone-like agglomerated particles from Span 20 and Tween 80-derived emulsions respectively with 1 wt.% concentration each in n-heptane. On the other hand, flower-like and nest-like morphologies of HS particles were obtained in presence of 1 wt.% Span 80 of the emulsion at 90 °C for 5 and 15 h, respectively.