Effects of ultrasonic treatment on zeolite NaA synthesized from by-product silica

•The synthesis of zeolite NaA was carried out in the presence of ultrasound treatment.•It was possible to obtain zeolite NaA from by-product silica.•Zeolites obtained by using hydrothermal and sonochemical synthesis were compared. The synthesis of zeolite NaA from silica by-product was carried out in the presence of 20kHz ultrasound at room temperature. Zeolites obtained in this type of synthesis were compared to zeolites obtained by performing conventional static syntheses under similar conditions. The sonication effects on zeolite NaA synthesis were characterized by phase identification, crystallinity etc. The effects of different parameters such as crystallization time and initial materials preparation methods on the crystallinity and morphology of the synthesized zeolites were investigated. The final products were characterized by XRD and FT-IR. It was possible to obtain crystalline zeolite NaA from by-product silica in the presence of ultrasound.