Controlling of Solution Concentration on Nucleation During Hydrothermal Synthesis of Analcime

Abstract Hydrothermal experiments of analcime nucleation and glass dissolution were carried out in autoclaves under the conditions of autogeneous pressures, temperatures of 150 °C ∼ 210 °C, and 0.25 M ∼ 0.75 M NaOH solutions. The curves of the glass dissolution and analcime formation are S‐shaped. Yet, the two curves are essentially parallel to each other. The time required for a complete dissolution of glass or the commencement of analcime formation is shorter when the concentration of NaOH solution or the temperature is higher. The amount of the weight percent of analcime synthesized is obviously less than the glass dissolved at a given time of an experiment. The weight difference between glass dissolved and analcime (dehydrated) formed is calculated to be represented as the solution concentration. During an experiment, the solution concentration increases gradually to a maximum, then decreases slowly to a constant value with time. On the other hand, nucleation is also gradually increased to a maximum, then is decreased finally to zero with time in a bell‐shaped curve. It is clear that nucleation of analcime is mainly controlled by the solution concentration.