Synthesis of highly siliceous ZSM-5 zeolite using silica from rice husk ash

In this study, a simple synthetic route is demonstrated towards the efficient production of ZSM-5 zeolite. Crystalline rice husk ash (RHA) was utilized as an alternative silica source for the synthesis of ZSM-5. The reaction of RHA with the organic template TPABr at low temperature and under atmospheric pressure led to the successful transformation of the crystalline ash to ZSM-5. The synthesis was studied as a function of time and the products at each stage were characterized using a variety of analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetry-differential thermogravimetry analyses (TG-DTG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron dispersion X-ray analysis (EDX). Porosimetry measurements revealed that the product is a microporous material having a high specific surface area of 397 m2 g–1.