Synthesis, Characterisation and Mechanism of Novel Ca-ZSM-5 Zeolite Nanocomposite from Eggshell using Simple Co-Precipitation Method

摘要

In this study, Ca-ZSM-5 zeolite nanocomposite was synthesised as controlledreleased fertiliser due to the excess of nutrients leaching in the soil which has caused serious environmental problem such as eutrophication. The zeolite nanocomposite was first synthesised using a simple co-precipitation template method. The zeolite nanocomposite was then impregnated with calcium, originated from chicken eggshell powder, at a molar ratio of 1:1. The physical and chemical properties of Ca-ZSM-5 zeolite nanocomposite were characterised using several analytical instruments such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometer, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Spectrometer and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Based on SEM analysis, the porosity of mesoporous H-ZSM-5 nanozeolite was in the range of 31.7 to 190 nm. Meanwhile, the porosity of macroporous eggshell was 71.4 to 230 nm and mesoporous H-ZSM-5 nanozeolite material was impregnated into the macroporous eggshell due to porosity of eggshell was larger than porosity of H-ZSM-5 nanozeolite. Ca-ZSM-5 zeolite nanocomposite with porosity of 71.4-198 nm was successfully synthesised by simple co-precipitation method. While the results obtained from FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of tetrahedral (TOx, x = Si or Al) stretching. Overall, the synthesised Ca-ZSM-5 zeolite nanocomposite possess key characteristic as a precursor for various applications.