The extensive use of zeolites as catalysts and catalyst
suppo rts in heteregenous cll t:tly~i ... in the che mical and
petrochemical industries is well established. Kaolin is a suitable
aluminosilicate mineral which in appropriate conditions can be
transformed to a three dimensional zeolite structure with a high
surface area. A vast and dispersed kaolin deposites in the
country are high potential sources for studing synthesis of
zeoli tes. The kaolins investigated in this study were from
Zenoo z ~ Azarba y jan , Rokh·Scf c ed ~ Khora s an and
Samirom· Esfahan. Theywere activated by ca lcination at 750°C
to convert them to meta kaolin. Synthesis gel was prepared from
metakaolin, sodium hydroxide, sodium silicate and sodium
chloride. Synthesis was performed by hydrothermal method at
101YC. The products were examined by XRD and EDX/SEM for
structural and chemical analysis. All three types kaolins were
converted to zeolite Y in specific condition. Silicon to aluminum
ratio in the prepared zeolite framework was in the range of
1.7·2.15 where the highest value belongs to the zeolite prepared
from Samirom kaolin.
,