Synthesis of Zeolite A from Bangka Kaolin as a High-Performance Host for Fluorescent Compounds

¹ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Rawamangun, East Jakarta, 13220 Indonesia
² Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Kampus Baru UI, Depok 16424, Indonesia
³ Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jalan Pluit Utara No 2, Jakarta Utara, 14440, Indonesia
⁴ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong BE1410, Brunei Darussalam

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 2 July 2026

Abstract

This study aimed to synthesize Zeolite A from Bangka kaolin and evaluate its potential as a high-performance host material for fluorescent compounds in latent fingerprint identification. Zeolite A was synthesized using the hydrothermal method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The characterization results confirmed the successful formation of Zeolite A with an optimum crystallization time of 5 h, producing a crystallinity of 47%. Structural analysis indicated the development of a uniform aluminosilicate framework suitable for hosting fluorescent molecules. Fluorescence spectroscopy was employed to investigate the optical performance of the zeolite-based fluorescent material under different dye concentrations and contact times. The results showed that the highest fluorescence intensity was achieved at 100% dye concentration with a contact time of 30 min. The enhanced fluorescence emission demonstrated Zeolite A's ability to serve as an efficient host matrix for fluorescent compounds.