Zeolites

doi:10.1016/j.micromeso.2010.12.026

Microporous and Mesoporous Materials

Volume 142, Issues 2–3, July 2011, Pages 423-438

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2010.12.026 Get rights and content

Abstract

The term “zeolite” was first coined about 250 years ago by Cronstedt. However, the field of zeolite chemistry lay almost dormant for some nineteen decades thereafter, until the discovery of synthetic zeolites by Barrer and Milton – one of the pivotal episodes that made zeolites into a technological cornerstone of our age. The story is as fascinating as it is complex. In particular, the historical perspective, regarding some of the key events, might not always be easily accessible to younger researchers or students just starting out in the field. Therefore, here, we try and offer a balanced, but necessarily selective and personal overview of the context and motivation(s) behind many of the defining episodes in that transformation of zeolites from ‘curiosity to cornerstone’ up until the mid-1980s, citing a selection of the major scientific/technical works as appropriate to offer the detail where required. We do not aim to provide a comprehensive scientific review, but instead aim to develop some of the historical aspects of zeolite discovery and the interconnections that exist between these discoveries and their protagonists, so as to showcase the fascination that was and still is inherent to the field.

Research highlights

► The context and motivation(s) behind some of the defining episodes in the history of zeolites are examined. ► Interconnections between these zeolite discoveries and their protagonists are developed. ► The path from Cronstedt’s discovery to industrial cornerstone is being traced.

Section snippets

Discussion

Some two and a half centuries ago, in 1758, the Swede, Alex Fredrik Cronstedt (1722–1765) anonymously published his “An Essay Towards a System of Mineralogy” [1], [2]. This text revolutionised the science of mineralogy by advocating that minerals be classified by their chemical composition, rather than by their physical properties, as had been the practice to that time. It also introduced the mineralogical classification of zeolite minerals. Although Cronstedt (Fig. 1) had introduced the term

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge funding by the Australian Research Council during the preparation of this manuscript and helpful comments from anonymous referees.

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ReviewZeolites – From curiosity to cornerstone

Abstract

Research highlights

Section snippets

Discussion

Acknowledgements

Microporous Mesoporous Mater.

J. Membr. Sci.

J. Membr. Sci.

J. Membr. Sci.

Microporous Mesoporous Mater.

Microporous Mesoporous Mater.

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA

Chem. Eng. News

Forsok til Mineralogie, eller Mineral-Rikets Upstadllning

Kong. Vet. Acad. Handlingar

Trans. Kans. Acad. Sci.

Isis

J. Chem. Educ.

Am. Mineral.

Am. Mineral.

Naturelle

Ann. Mines

Ann. Phys. Chem.

Séances Acad. Sci.

Bull. Soc. Fr. Mineral. Crystallogr.

Compt. Rend.

Jahrb. Preuss. Geol. Landesanstalt

Jahrb. Preuss. Geol. Landesanstalt

Ind. Eng. Chem.

Ind. Eng. Chem.

Chem. Eng. News

Zentralbl. Zuckerind.

Z. Kristallogr.

The Sorption of Gases and Vapours by Solids

Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society

Proc. R. Soc. (Lond.)

Trans. Faraday Soc.

Review
Zeolites – From curiosity to cornerstone