Synthesis of a high-quality NaP zeolite from epidesmine by a hydrothermal method

Epidesmine as a silicon source was used to synthesize NaP zeolite by a hydrothermal method. Parameters such as $$\hbox {SiO}_{{2}}$$ / $$\hbox {Al}_{{2}}\hbox {O}_{{3}}$$ and $$\hbox {H}_{{2}}\hbox {O}$$ / $$\hbox {Na}_{{2}}\hbox {O}$$ molar ratios, reaction temperatures and reaction times were investigated for regulating the purity of the final product. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope. The experimental results evidenced that a high-quality NaP zeolite was obtained at $$\hbox {SiO}_{{2}}$$ / $$\hbox {Al}_{{2}}\hbox {O}_{{3}}$$ and $$\hbox {H}_{{2}}\hbox {O}$$ / $$\hbox {Na}_{{2}}\hbox {O}$$ molar ratios of 3.7 and 55, respectively, and at a temperature of $$95^\circ \hbox {C}$$ for 6.5 h of ageing. The BET surface area and total pore volume of the powders were $$17.1359\,\hbox {m}²\,\hbox {g}^-1$$ and $$0.006845\,\hbox {cm}³\,\hbox {g}^-1$$ , and the pore size was $${\sim }3.2\,\upmu \hbox {m}$$ .