Conversion of silica by-product into zeolites by thermo-sonochemical treatment.

The fine powdered silica by-product of processing of aluminum fluoride (fertilizer plant, Lithuania) was used for zeolite synthesis as silica and aluminum source. The effect of sonication time and the time of hydrothermal synthesis on crystallinity of the synthesized zeolite were studied. This allowed the transformation of the by-product to the mixture of Na-P zeolite and Na-X zeolite.

Effects of ultrasonic treatment on zeolite NaA synthesized from by-product silica.

The synthesis of zeolite NaA from silica by-product was carried out in the presence of 20 kHz ultrasound at room temperature. Zeolites obtained in this type of synthesis were compared to zeolites obtained by performing conventional static syntheses under similar conditions. The sonication effects on zeolite NaA synthesis were characterized by phase identification, crystallinity etc.