SYNTHESIS OF OMEGA-ZEOLITE WITHOUT USE OF TETRAMETHYLAMMONIUM (TMA) IONS

A new route to the synthesis of omega zeolite in the absence of tetramethylammonium ions has been found in which with use of glycerol as solvent a water-free silicoaluminate gel (10.0Na(2)O-1.0Al(2)O(3)-13.9SiO(2)-100.0glycerol) is prepared and water is added only in small quantity to the prepared gel (11.9 wt% water in the synthesis mixture). The prepared mixture is then crystallized at 125 degrees C under static condition for 45 days. The obtained product was characterized by XRD, IR, SEM and thermal analysis. The crystallization course and the effect of water content in the crystallization gel on the synthesized products were also studied. The role of water on the formation of zeolite is discussed.