Microwave-assisted versus conventional synthesis of zeolite A from metakaolinite

This is a comparative study of the synthesis of zeolite A from metakaolinite using both conventional and microwave-assisted heating. The effects of reaction conditions on the rate of formation, crystallinity and actual % yield of zeolite A were investigated. Reaction parameters such as different NaOH molarities (1.0–5.0 M), temperatures (70 and 80 °C), durations (1–8 h) as well as the effect of seeding percentage (1–4%) were tested. The rate of zeolite A formation was found to increase by 2–3 times in microwave treated samples with a notable enhancement in the product crystallinity and % yield whether seeded or un-seeded.