Synthesis zeolite y from kaolin: Activation of metakaolin with various concentration of sulfuric acid and its application for esterification

In this research, a zeolite Y was synthesized from Bangka-Belitung Kaoline. The synthesis was conducted through activation of metakaolin with sulfuric acid at various concentration of 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 M. The aging and hydrothermal process was conducted at 100 °C for 24 h. The products were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) techniques. XRD and FTIR analysis show that the zeolite Y was formed at all acid variation. Acidity was determined by FTIR using pyridine as a molecular probe. The result shows that zeolite Y that was activated with 9 M sulfuric acid (HY-9) has a highest acid site of 0.26 mmol/g. Test of the prepared-catalyst for esterification also shows that HY-9 has the highest conversion of acetic acid, which is 60.06%.