Hydrothermal study of synthesis mesoporous NaP zeolite using Sapindus rarak extract as natural surfactant

NaP zeolite with uniform spherical morphology and mesoporosity was synthesized using Sapindus rarak extract (SRE) as a natural surfactant. Mass Spectrometry (MS) identifies the composition of triterpene saponins in the extract responsible as mesopore directing agent. Characterization using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy- Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the formation of NaP zeolite framework with uniform microspherical structures. Synthesis at different hydrothermal times indicates the metakaolin was initially transformed to quartz, then proceeded to mesoporous NaP after 24 h of crystallization. NaP zeolite with microspherical structures, smooth morphology, mesoporosity and high crystallinity was obtained at 48 h, exhibiting high thermal stability at temperatures ˃ 600 °C.