CHARACTERIZATION OF ZEOLITE/CARBON NANOTUBE COMPOSITE PREPARED BY HYDROTHERMAL METHOD

CHARACTERIZATION OF ZEOLITE/CARBON NANOTUBE COMPOSITE PREPARED BY HYDROTHERMAL METHOD

A hybrid composite of NaY zeolite and amine modified multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) has been synthesized by hydrothermal method. The obtained NaY/CNT composite (NC composite) was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and BET analysis. Crystal structures of NC composite were similar to those of pure NaY zeolite, but the surface area and pore volume of the NC composite are enhanced. Incorporation of MWCNTs into NaY zeolite increases nucleation sites for the formation of NaY zeolite crystals, resulting in the smaller size of NaY zeolite crystals. Gas adsorption capacity and selectivity of NC composite increased because of enhancement of micropore volume. The results confirm that NC composite is a promising material for the separation and purification of gases.