Question
What are zeolites? What are the applications of zeolites?
Solution
Zeolites are microporous aluminosilicates of the general formula
where n is the valence of cation? They may be considered as an open structure of silica in which a fraction n/x+y of the tetrahedral sites has been substituted by aluminium and void spaces are occupied by water molecules.
where n is the valence of cation? They may be considered as an open structure of silica in which a fraction n/x+y of the tetrahedral sites has been substituted by aluminium and void spaces are occupied by water molecules.Applications of zeolites. Zeolites are used:
(i) for softening of hard water
(ii) as desiccant
(iii) as a shape selective catalyst, e.g. ZSM-5 (zeolite sieve of molecular porosity 5) in converting methyl alcohol into gasoline (petrol),
(iv) as a catalyst in petrochemical industries
(v) as a detergent builder.
