Molecular Sieves

Yesterday I came across molecular sieve zeolites and did a bit of research on them. Zeolites are crystalline aluminosilicates with fully cross-linked open framework structures made up of corner-sharing SiO4 and AlO4 tetrahedra often used as industrial pollution control processes. The name zeolite comes from the Greek words Zeo (to boil) and Lithos (stone). Molecular sieve zeolotes can be designed and synthesized using templates into various sizes according to shape, reactant shape, product shape or transition-state selectivity. The most important application of molecular sieves is as catalysts. I wondered if molecular sieves could be used as an emergency containment system for absorbing CBR (Chemical, Biological, Radiation) materials. From what I could find the answer is….they can probably be useful in absorbing CBR discharges from weapons. Zeolites can also be used to deliver water, fertilizer, herbicides, and act as nano-sensors for soil quality and plant monitoring.