2.2. Preparation of catalyst
2.2.1. Synthesis of mordenite
NaOH, and NaAlO2 were mixed with H2O, and silicic acid powder
(particle size is below 200 mesh) was then added. The starting gels
were obtained with molar ratios of Al2O3:25SiO2:5Na2O:294H2O. After
stirring for 1 h at room temperature, the mixture was transferred into
an autoclave at 343 K for 5 days for further crystallization. The product
was collected by filtration, washed with deionized water and dried at
393 K for 12 h, then calcined at 823 K for 3 h. The resultant sample
was named as Na-Mor. The Na-Mor sample was then ion-exchanged
thrice with a solution of 1 M NH4NO3 at 353 K for 1 h, followed by calcination
at 823 K for 3 h to obtain H-form mordenite labeled as H-Mor.