Preparation of zeolite a coatings on copper plates by using the substrate heating method

Abstract

The substrate heating method was used to grow zeolite 4A coatings on copper plates. The reaction mixture was kept at 25o C, while the plate was heated to a higher temperature. In some of the synthesis experiments performed, the reaction mixture was circulated in the system. The coatings prepared were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. It was demonstrated that crystalline and pure zeolite 4A coatings could be formed on copper by using the substrate heating method from a highly alkaline solution, in which dissolution and oxidation of the copper plates took place. A coating with about 310 µm mass equivalent thickness could be grown on copper after 72 h of synthesis. The thickness decreased when circulation was applied. Compared to coatings previously prepared on stainless steel plates under similar experimental conditions, thicker coatings were grown on copper. It is possible that the roughened surface of copper in the highly alkaline reaction mixture provided a higher number of nucleation sites.