Effect of Na2O/SiO2 mole ratio on the crystal type of zeolite synthesized from coal fly ash

Coal fly ash was modified to zeolitic materials by hydrothermal treatment at 90oC. The zeolite synthesis was studied as a function of the mole ratio of Na2O/SiO2 in the reaction mixtures. The results showed that NaP1 zeolite is obtained when the Na2O/SiO2 mole ratio was 0.7. Hydroxysodalite is the dominant zeolite phase in modified fly ash treated with a higher Na2O concentration solution (Na2O/SiO2 = 1.3). The IR and XRD methods were used to determine the phases present in the starting sample and in the zeolitic materials.