Structure and Properties of Aluminosilicate Solutions and Gels

A range of aluminosilicate solutions were investigated. The gelation behaviour, the species in solution (as observed by NMR) and the zeolite crystallization products are described. The effect of concentration and type of alkali metal cation present in solution gives information about the formation of aluminosilicate complexes and how they interact, under the influence of the cation, to form an aluminosilicate gel, the precursor to zeolite crystallization.