Data from: Synthesis of zeolites Na-A and Na-X from tablet compressed and calcinated coal fly ash

Zeolites Na-A and Na-X are important synthetic zeolites widely used for
separation and adsorption in industry. It is of great significance to
develop energy-efficient routines that can synthesize zeolites Na-A and
Na-X from low-cost raw materials. Coal fly ash (CFA) is the major residue
from the combustion of coal and biomass containing more than 85% SiO2 and
Al2O3, which can readily replace the conventionally used sodium silicate
and aluminate for zeolite synthesis. We used Na2CO3 to replace the
expensive NaOH used for the calcination of CFA and showed that tablet
compression can enhance the contact with Na2CO3 for the activation of CFA
through calcination for the synthesis of zeolites Na-A and Na-X under mild
conditions. We optimized the control variables for zeolite synthesis and
showed that phase-pure zeolite Na-A can be synthesized with CFA at
reactant molar ratio, hydrothermal reaction temperature and reaction time
of 1.3Na2O: 0.6Al2O3: 1SiO2: 38H2O at 80°C for 6 h, respectively, while
phase-pure zeolite Na-X can be synthesized at 2.2Na2O: 0.2Al2O3: 1SiO2:
88H2O at 100°C for 8 h, respectively. The composition, morphology,
specific surface area, vibration spectrum and thermogravimetry of
synthesized Na-A and Na-X were further characterized.