Characterization and conditioning of zeolitic tuffs to improve their catalytic features

VINUESA, ARIEL JOSÉ; BONETTO, LUCIANA; RENZINI, MARÍA SOLEDAD; PIERELLA, LILIANA BEATRIZ; SAUX, CLARA

Santa Fe

Conferencia; VI San Luis Conference; 2018

BNL, INTEC, INFAP

Zeolites are crystalline, microporous, hydrated aluminosilicate minerals that contain alkali and alkaline earth metals. Their frameworksare composed of [SiO4]4- and [AlO4]5- tetrahedra, which corner share to form different open structures. The tetrahedra are linkedtogether to form cages connected by pore openings of definite sizes.Natural zeolites are formed as a result of chemical reactions of the volcanic ash and alkaline water a few thousand millennia ago. Theyhave been used in various parts of the world for centuries. The aim of this study is to utilize this natural, abundant and cheap materialto produce valuable and efficient catalysts for various purposes.