Abstract: Zeolite β was synthesized with a nucleation gel. The IR spectroscopic characterizations confirm the existence of the microcrystal nuclei in the nucleation gel. Chemical analysis of solid and liquid phases demonstrates that zeolite β can grow within a relatively narrow n(Si)/n(Al) ratio range. TGA analysis reveals that TEAOH only exists in the microcrystal nuclei formed in the nucleation gel. It was also found that the negative charges of the zeolite framework are actually balanced by the hydrated Na⁺ ions, which may direct the growth of zeolite β during the crystallization process.

Key words: Nucleation gel, Zeolite β, IR spectroscopy, TGA-7 analysis