Synthesis of uniform-sized zeolite from windshield waste

Abstract

We demonstrate the synthesis of A-type zeolite from mechanically milled windshield waste via acid treatment and a low-temperature hydrothermal method. As-received windshield cullet was crushed to a fine powder and impurities were removed by HNO3 treatment. The resulting glass powder was used as the source material for the hydrothermal synthesis of A-type zeolite. Crystal structure, morphology, and elemental composition changes of the windshield waste were evaluated at each step of the process through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, etc. After a high-energy milling process, the glass had an average particle size of 520 nm; after acid treatment, its composition was over 94% silica. Zeolite was successfully synthesized in the A-type phase with a uniform cubic shape. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.