Synthesis of cashew nut-like zeolite NaP powders using agro-waste material as silica source

Abstract Cashew nut-like zeolite NaP powders were synthesized using agro-waste material, rice husk ash as silica source via its in-situ extraction in the presence of other organic-free low cost precursors like aluminum foil, sodium hydroxide and water under hydrothermal condition at 100 °C for 48 h. The powders were characterized by thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, N 2 physisorption measurements and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). BET surface area and total pore volume of the powders were 129 m 2 g −1 and 0.18 cm 3 g −1 , respectively. FESEM images showed cashew nut-like morphology of the powders, and Si/Al ratio of the powders was found to be 2.01 as indicated by the elemental analysis with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX).