Synthesis and Application of Zeolite A from Kaolin Obtained from Dei Dei, Bwari Area Council, Abuja

Abstract

In this study, the synthesis of Zeolites from Kaolin obtained from Dei Dei, Bwari Area Council, Abuja was successfully carried out using standard methods (novel process of dealumination). Meta kaolinization was achieved by thermal activation of kaolin at the temperature range of between 600–900°C for 2 hours in a furnace and followed by dealumination with NaOH in an oven at 120°C for 6 hrs in order to achieve a desire silica/alumina molar ratio. The dealuminated zeolite crystals was crushed, deionized to a constant pH of 7, filtered and dried for 4 hrs at 100°C. The samples were characterized with FTIR and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to determine the morphology and functional group present in Zeolite A synthesized from Kaolin clay. The ion exchange ability of the zeolite was tested on Ca(OH₂) contaminated water and crude oil polluted water. The results of FTIR and SEM analysis revealed that this particular zeolite A has a layered arrangement with clusters, giving it an amorphous shape. Asymmetric and symmetric stretching of the Si-O(Si) and Si-O(Al) bonds is responsible for the FTIR peak at 1001 cm^-1. The wavenumbers at 800 and 500 cm^-1 corresponded to symmetric stretching modes of the double Si-O-Al bonds, while the wavenumber at 555 cm^-1 corresponded to O-Si-O bending and stretching modes. An indication of high ion-exchange capacity of synthesized zeolite was observed. The ability of synthesised Zeolites A to serve as a sorbent material for a variety of water softening applications, such as the removal of dissolved organic compounds, e.g., oil spillage with an ease of recovery which make it reusable.