neararid

Neararid is a hypothetical mineral described in geochemical literature as a porous aluminosilicate framework with similarities to zeolites. It is proposed to form under near-arid to arid conditions when silica- and alumina-rich fluids interact and crystallize within evaporitic or semi-dry settings. The name reflects its imagined association with dry or near-dry environments.

The term neararid was coined to explore how porous crystalline materials might develop micro- and nano-scale pore networks in environments with limited water activity. In the fictional or speculative model, the mineral exhibits a three-dimensional lattice that can host guest molecules within its channels and cavities, enabling adsorption and selective diffusion.

In proposed properties, neararid is described as having a microporous to mesoporous structure, a low to moderate density, and a Mohs hardness in the mid-4 to mid-6 range. It is imagined to be colorless to pale yellow or gray, with a refractive index typical of silicate materials. Its chemical composition is described as primarily silicon and aluminum oxides with hydroxide, plus trace metals that can modify acidity and catalytic behavior.

Natural occurrence, in the speculative scenario, would be extremely rare because the precise balance of temperature, pH, salinity, and fluid composition required for its crystallization is seldom met in nature. More commonly, neararid is described as a material produced and studied in laboratory settings.

Applications proposed for neararid include catalysis, gas adsorption and separation, water purification, and as a host material for sensors, thanks to its porous framework and tunable acidity. Further research and verification would be needed to establish any real-world counterpart.

See also: zeolites, porous materials, aluminosilicates.