The ZSM-5 zeolite was synthesized using silica "Aerosil-Degussa -- 380 m²/g" as silicon source, in substitution to the sodium trisilicate, which is usually employed in the zeolite synthesis. Subsequently, the copper was incorporated to ZSM-5 by conventional ion-exchange method. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, surface area and elemental analysis by atomic absorption have been used to verify ZSM-5 formation and its properties after copper exchange. The results presented ZSM-5 formation in the employed synthesis conditions. The ion-exchanged sample conserved the original ZSM-5 properties.
zeolite; ZSM-5; synthesis; ion-exchange
