Dispersion of potassium nitrate and the resulting basicity on alumina and zeolite NaY

Abstract

Dispersion and decomposition of KNO₃ on γ-alumina and NaY zeolite as well as Al₂O₃-NaY porous material were examined, and the basicity of these resulting solid bases were characterized. KNO₃ was highly dispersed on zeolite NaY and AlPO₄-5 but difficult to decompose, due to the lack of octahedral vacant sites in the zeolite provided for the insertion of K⁺ cations. If the amount of KNO₃ loaded was below the monolayer dispersion threshold, it could be well dispersed and provoked a basic strength (H_-) of 18.4 on the alumina. When the amount of KNO₃ was above the threshold on the alumina, it only dispersed and decomposed during evacuation at 873 K but generated some unusually strong basic sites with strength (H_-) of 27.0 on γ-alumina.