Kaolinite clays: a promising raw for the production of zeolite material

Phase composition of kaolin (kaolinite clays, Middle Timan, Russia) has been studied. A method for synthesizing zeolites from low-grade aluminosilicate raw material — kaolinite clay (Middle Timan, Russia) — is adapted. The resulting zeolite sorbents are analyzed by a range of modern analytical methods, and their porous structure parameters are determined. We have found that hydrothermal treatment in an alkaline solution resulted in the formation of two types of zeolites: LTA and FAU (faujasite), both with a high degree of crystallinity. The sorption capacity for Sr2+ ions is 180 mg/g, exceeding the values for known micro- and mesoporous sorbents. We have shown that the morphological and structural properties of the zeolite influence its sorption capacity. The resulting zeolites represent an effective and affordable material for use in environmental technologies.