Fabrication of granulated NaY zeolite nanoparticles using a new method and study the adsorption properties

NaY zeolite nanoparticles were synthesized and shaped into the uniform spherical granules using a developed novel and simple two-step granulation technique. First, the alginate/nanozeolite or alginate/nanozeolite-bentonite spherical hybrid was successfully fabricated, and then the alginate was decomposed by calcinations resulting uniform spherical granules. To improve the mechanical stability of the prepared granules, bentonite was added as an inorganic binder at different ratios of 20 wt.% to 40 wt.%. Moreover, the effect of binder on the ion exchange properties of the prepared granules was studied. Increasing of binder content from 20 wt.% to 40 wt.% linearly enhanced the mechanical stability of the granules by 229%. Nevertheless, the addition of binder decreased the N2 adsorption capacity by 19.2% at 77 K and reduced the maximum Sr2 + uptake per gram of granules by 35%. It was revealed that the ion exchange and N2 adsorption capacities of the granulated NaY nanozeolites were, respectively, 24% and 43% higher than the micronsized granulated zeolite with the same amount of the binder (i.e. 20 wt.% of bentonite).

NaYuzeolite nano particles were synthesized and shaped into the uniform spherical granules using a developed novel and a simple two-step granule tecnique. The effect of binder on the ion exchange properties of the prepared granules was studied. The ion exchange and N2 adsortion of the granules NaY nanozeolites were, respectively, 24% and 43% higher than the micronsized zeolite.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► A novel method to shape nanozeolite powder as uniform spherical granule developed.
► Binder effects on mechanical strength and sorption properties of granules studied.
► Adsorption capacities of granulated nano and micron sized NaY studied.
► Favorable effects of nano-zeolite retained in the granulated form are shown.