Synthesis and characterization of analcime using quartz syenite powder by alkali-hydrothermal treatment

•Analcime is synthesized for the first time using quartz syenite by alkali-hydrothermal method.•Quartz syenite is the starting material for synthesis of analcime and leaching of potassium.•The isometric trapezohedral analcime ranges in uniform particle size from 15 to 20 μm.•Conversion mechanism is attributed to dissolution–precipitation process.

Analcime was successfully synthesized for the first time via a hydrothermal treatment of quartz syenite powder and NaOH solution. The experiments were carried out at the temperature from 240 °C to 260 °C for 2–8 h using different concentrations of NaOH solution and mass ratio of NaOH/syenite. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicate that the crystalline analcime can be prepared using natural quartz syenite as an economic raw material.

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