Synthesis of amorphous aluminosilicate from impure Indonesian kaolin

Synthesis of amorphous aluminosilicates from high impurities in Indonesian kaolin were carried out in several ways, directly from kaolin and indirectly from metakaolin (calcined kaolin), both with silica addition and without silica addition. Synthesis was conducted in a gradual temperature hydrothermal reaction and in a constant temperature hydrothermal reaction. Before being synthesized, kaolin impurities were separated according to density and/or particle size by centrifugation. X-Ray Diffraction and FTIR Spectrometry characterization of the synthesized product showed that the results of synthesis of aluminosilicates from metakaolin via hydrothermal with gradual temperature or constant temperature produced aluminosilicates with high quartz impurities, while synthesis with the addition of silica in hydrothermal conditions at 80°C for 12 hours can produce aluminosilicate with a low quartz content. Direct synthesis from kaolin with the addition of silica could produce pure aluminosilicates.