Hydrothermal Synthetic Study of Zeolites from Siliceous Mudstone
Siliceous mudstones are embedded on a large scale in the Tertiary formations of Pohang area. Some useful zeolites such as NsP, (Na, TMA)P, analcime and hydroxysodalite were synthesized from the siliceous mudstones by treating with the variety of solution, i.e ., NaOH, NaOH+NaCl, NaOH, NaOH+NaAlO2and NaOH+TMAOH at the low-temperature hydrothermal system ranging 60~120℃. Major precursor of zeolites is found as opal-CT in the zeolite-forming reaction. Smectite, which is included in considerable amounts in the mudstone, appears to play a major role of Al-source in the zeolite synthesis. In comparison, chalcedonic quartz and mica are rather insoluble in alkaline solution, and thus, these are observed as major impurities in the reaction products. An addition of NaAlO2to NaOH solution is effective for eliminating these impurities in the reaction procedure, through these are partly dissolved when elevating the reaction temperature, concentration, and time. Phase change from NaP to hydroxysodalite takes place at the NaOH concentrations of 3.0~4.0 M, and the reaction is not sensitive to the temperature shift. NaP is more stable at lower NaOH concentration and higher activity of Na+ whereas analcime is sensitive to the temperature change and stable at higher than 100℃ and 2.0~4.0 M in NaOH concentration. For the pure NaP synthesis without any other products, the treatment of mudstones with 1:1 solution of NaOH and NaAlO 2 turns out to be quite effective. NaP was successfully synthesized together with analcime at 100℃ as well as lower concentrations of NaOH+NaCl solution. In addition, the organic type, (Na, TMA)P was formed together with smectite in the 1:1 solution of NaOH and TMAOH.