Synthesis of ZK4 zeolite: An LTA-structured zeolite with a Si/Al ratio greater than 1

• Zeolite ZK4 was characterized by XRD, SEM, N2 adsorption, IR and chemical analysis.
• ZK4 zeolite was synthesized with high crystallization by aging process.
• ZK4 has higher specific areas than that of zeolite A due to a lower sodium content.
• ZK4 has a higher capability for adsorbing branched paraffin than that of zeolite A.

Zeolite ZK4 was synthesized and characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, textural analysis by N2 adsorption, chemical analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that the synthesized ZK4 exhibited high crystallinity and the aging process influenced the growth of the crystals. Zeolite ZK4 exhibited a specific superficial area greater than that of zeolite A due to its lower sodium content (Si/Al=1.7). Adsorption tests showed that zeolite ZK4 exhibited a capacity for adsorbing branched paraffins greater than that of zeolite A.