One-pot synthesis of NaA and NaP zeolite powders using agro-waste material and other low cost organic-free precursors

NaA and NaP zeolite powders were synthesized by hydrothermal condition at 100 °C/15–96 h using agro-waste material, rice husk ash as silica source in the presence of other organic-free low cost precursors like aluminum foil, sodium hydroxide and water. The powders were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, N2 physisorption studies, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The BET surface area values of NaA and NaP powders were in the range of 348–179 m2 g−1 and 129–85 m2 g−1, respectively. FESEM images showed flower-like morphology for the NaA powders obtained at 100 °C/15 h, and broken cashew-nut-like morphology for the NaP powders synthesized at 100 °C/72 h.