Zeolites and Other Micro‐ and Mesoporous Molecular Sieves

Zeolites have become indispensable materials for chemical industry being applied as detergents, adsorbents and particularly catalysts. Over the past decades this broad research and application field has experienced rapid development. New zeolite structures were synthesized, fundamental knowledge of micro- and mesoporous materials synthesis and characterization was substantially deepened and, consequently, more economical and environmentally acceptable industrial technologies were developped. This chapter summarizes the fundamental as well as practical aspects of zeolite synthesis, the most important properties of zeolites and their implications for practical use together with the main industrial applications. In particular, the attention is focused on zeolite use as adsorbents and catalysts. Zeolite research field was broadened to related materials, including zeotypes, mesoporous molecular sieves, hierarchic systems and metal-organic-frameworks. Synthesis, properties, and application potential of these novel and exciting groups of porous molecular sieves are briefly highlighted as well. Keywords: Zeolites; Mesoporous materials; Hierarchic systems; Catalysis; Adsorption