Molekulaarsõelad

Molekulaarsõelad are crystalline materials with a highly uniform pore structure. These pores are of molecular dimensions, meaning they are on the order of Angstroms (0.1 nanometers). This precise pore size allows them to selectively adsorb molecules based on their size and shape. Smaller molecules can enter the pores, while larger molecules are excluded, hence the name "molecular sieve."

The most common types of molecular sieves are zeolites, which are aluminosilicate minerals. They consist of a framework of silicon and aluminum atoms linked by oxygen atoms, creating a three-dimensional lattice with cavities and channels. Other synthetic molecular sieves exist, including carbon molecular sieves and silica molecular sieves, each with varying pore sizes and chemical properties.

The primary application of molecular sieves is in separation processes. They are widely used in the petrochemical industry for separating hydrocarbon mixtures, such as in the production of high-purity oxygen and nitrogen from air. They are also employed as desiccants to remove water from gases and liquids, as catalysts in various chemical reactions, and as ion exchangers. The ability to precisely control pore size and surface chemistry makes molecular sieves versatile tools in numerous industrial and scientific applications.