Zeolites are minerals with pores that make them ideal for absorption. They consist of aluminum, oxygen, and silicon and can be found naturally or synthesized in labs. Natural zeolites are isolated through a crushing and pelletizing process. They are used in various industries, including nuclear, medical, and laundry detergent. Axel Cronstedt identified zeolites in 1756 and named them after the Greek words for “boiled stone.”
Zeolites are man-made and natural minerals that have a number of pores, making them a perfect material for absorption. As an aluminosilicate, zeolites consist of a combination of aluminum, oxygen and silicon. Pores in minerals are microscopic, making them prime candidates for absorbing small molecules of hazardous substances or liquids. There are at least 40 natural examples of the minerals worldwide, with over 100 man-made versions synthesized in laboratories.
In nature, minerals are created when volcanic ash and rock interact with a base such as alkaline liquids. Most commonly, this is seen under the ocean in marine environments with extinct volcanic activity since at least thousands of years ago. Mines around the world use a blasting and stripping technique to extract the ore. However, the mineral is usually contaminated with other elements such as metals and crystals. This means that natural zeolites must be isolated through an intensive crushing and pelletizing process.
Most zeolites are mined in Asia, Australia and Europe; however, about one percent of the world’s supply comes from the western United States. This created the need for artificial production. Unfortunately, the process of creating minerals is slow, due to the need to crystallize silicon and aluminum gels with oxygen. A number of process characteristics must be completely accurate to create the material, including temperature and pH level. Man-made zeolites, unlike their natural counterparts, however have the advantage of being completely pure at the time of creation.
Many different industries use minerals to filter and absorb unwanted substances. One of the most important uses is in the nuclear industry, which uses ores to process spent nuclear material by absorbing rogue ions. Laundry detergent is the largest user of zeolites, accounting for over a quarter of all material mined or produced. The medical field uses minerals in a variety of capacities for filtration and more recently to rapidly coagulate wounds with the QuikClot product used by US Army soldiers. Enhanced zeolites are also found in aquarium filtration systems and cat litter, providing a great way to maintain pH balance and absorb waste.
Natural zeolites were identified in 1756 by Axel Cronstedt, a Swedish mineralogist. He noticed that when the material was heated, steam was produced from the water that had previously been absorbed. Cronstedt named the mineral after the Greek words for “boiled stone.”
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