Solving the zeolite conundrum: Researchers make 'unfeasible' zeolites
Monday, November 9, 2015 - 09:50
in Physics & Chemistry
(Phys.org)—Zeolites, silica-based compounds known for their high surface area, have many commercial applications as absorbents and in catalysis. Since the function of the zeolite is related to its architecture, new zeolites mean the possibility of new applications. Theoretical calculations predict millions of possible zeolites, yet only about two hundred zeolites have been isolated. This oddity has been dubbed the "zeolite conundrum," and assumes that certain criteria must be met in order for a theoretical zeolite to be synthetically feasible.