Synthesis, Ion-exchange, Structural Characterization and Adsorption of K, Na-FER Type Zeolite

Synthesis of K, Na -FER type zeolite wasstudied in the reactant system ofK ₂O-–Na ₂O-–Al ₂O ₃-–SiO ₂-–CO ₃-–HCO ₃-ndash;H ₂O.Sodium silicate, silica sol andfumed silica were tested as the silica source, andsolid aluminum sulfate, aluminum hydroxide andmeta-kaolinite as the alumina source. The startingmaterials, the composition of the reactant, and thesynthesis temperature greatly influence the phasescrystallized. A pure phase of K, Na-FER zeolite washydrothermally prepared at 208 °C with sodiumsilicate and solid aluminum sulfate as startingmaterials. The optimum composition of the reactantfor synthesis of the pure FER zeolite was determined. Chemical analysis, XRD, FT-IR, ²⁹Si and ²⁷AlMAS NMR, TG/DTA, and adsorption of nitrogen, methanoland n-hexane were used to characterize the zeolite andcompared with the reference sample of perfect singlecrystals of siliceous FER zeolite. The content ofK⁺and Na⁺in the zeolite decreases graduallywith the times of the treatment ofion-exchange/calcination, leading to an increase in theadsorption capacities of nitrogen and methanol, anda decrease of the loading of n-hexane. The location ofthe K⁺, the stacking faults, and dealumination of thezeolite framework are discussed based on the ion exchange and adsorption behavior.