Molekyylisieppejä

Molekyylisieppejä, known in English as molecular sieves, are crystalline materials with a regular pore structure. These pores are of a precise size, allowing molecules smaller than the pore diameter to be adsorbed while larger molecules are excluded. This size-selective adsorption property makes them highly effective for separating molecules based on their size and shape.

The most common type of molecular sieve is zeolites. Zeolites are aluminosilicate minerals with a three-dimensional framework structure containing interconnected cavities and channels. The size of these pores can be controlled during the synthesis process, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. Other types of molecular sieves include activated carbons, porous glasses, and certain metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).

Molecular sieves are widely used in various industrial processes. They are crucial in gas separation, such as the removal of water from natural gas or the separation of nitrogen and oxygen from air. They are also employed as catalysts in chemical reactions, particularly in the petrochemical industry for processes like cracking and isomerization. In addition, they find applications in adsorption and purification, including the removal of impurities from liquids and gases, and in the formulation of detergents and desiccants. Their ability to selectively capture and release molecules under controlled conditions makes them versatile tools in chemistry and engineering.