Synthesis of zeolite Li-ABW from fly ash by fusion method.

The zeolite Li-ABW was synthesized by fusion method using fly ash as raw material. It comprised alkaline fusion followed by hydrothermal treatment in LiOH x H2O medium. Crystallinity of zeolite as high as 97.8% was attained under the following conditions: LiOH x H2O concentration, 3M; hydrothermal temperature, 180 degrees C; the corresponding aging time, 12 h. The content of Li-ABW increased at the expense of lithium aluminum silicate or quartz with an increase of LiOH x H2O concentration. With increasing hydrothermal temperature and aging time, the soluble species re-crystallized and crystalline phase transformation between different zeolites was observed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation revealed that the obtained zeolite Li-ABW was a rod-like crystal. The pore size distribution curve indicated the presence of mesopores.