Synthesis of nitrate sodalite: An in situ scanning calorimetric study

The formation of nitrate sodalite, an important constituent of the resilient heels at DOE nuclear waste storage sites, was closely followed by oven synthesis, in situ calorimetry as a function of heating rate from 0.01 to 0.1 °C/min and X-ray diffraction. A transition sequence of amorphous-zeolite A-sodalite-cancrinite was confirmed. For in situ synthesis calorimetry, the heat flow peaks related to zeolite A formation are shifted to higher temperatures as heating rate increases. Although the end products are mostly nitrate sodalite, no calorimetric signals associated with zeolite A to sodalite conversion are detected. This suggests that the enthalpy of formation of zeolite A and sodalite are very similar and the zeolite A to sodalite conversion enthalpy is small. This conclusion is in accord with previous measurements by oxide melt solution calorimetry.