Synthesis of zeolite NaA from sugarcane bagasse ash

Zeolite NaA was synthesized using sugarcane bagasse as silica source under hydrothermal condition at 80 °C for 72-160 h. The silicon was extracted by alkaline fusion for 40 min, at 550 °C with an alkali:ash ratio of 1. Zeolite A was obtained without phase contamination. The ash and synthesized zeolite NaA were analyzed by granulometry, XRD, SEM, FTIR, XRF and TG/DTA. In XRD results, all signals were perfectly indexed to zeolite A. The vibration bands at ca. 557 cm−1 suggested the presence of double-four-ring (D4R) zeolite A structure. The synthesized material has a potential application as a catalyst, as adsorbent, and as an ion exchanger.