Researchers discover crystalline zeolites in a nanotubular shape

A region where a few zeolitic nanotubes are fused together into a periodic 3D structure is marked by a red rectangle. The red symbols show the approximate locations of Si or Al atoms. Credit is given to the science.abg3793

The production of chemicals, fuels, materials, and other products can be done with zeolites. This has changed with the recent discovery of crystallised zeolites in a 1D shape by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The findings were published in a scientific journal.

One of the most exciting parts of the research is a discovery like this. "We're used to doing research that has a pre-determined application at the end of it, so this is a reminder that fundamental discoveries in materials science are also exciting and important."

Scientists and engineers have used different sizes, shapes, and connections of the zeolites' pores to discriminate between different types of molecule, allowing for the production of chemicals that are suitable for plastic production or for the separation of unwanted molecule from desired molecule.
The team was working on making 2D materials. A new type of assembly process was indicated by some of the results. One case led to a novel 1D zeolite material with a tube-like structure. This 1D material, called a zeolitic zeolite nanotube, was unlike any other found in nature before.
"Zeolite nanotubes could be used to make entirely new types of nanoscale components that can control transport of mass or heat or charge, not only down the length of the tube the pipe, but also in and out through the perforated walls."

The Georgia Tech researchers collaborated with experts from Penn State and Stockholm University to resolve the detailed arrangement of the atoms in the zeolite. They found a unique arrangement of atoms that are not found in 3D or 2D zeolites. The arrangement is responsible for forcing the zeolite to form as a 1D tube rather than a 2D or 3D material.
"This is the first example of a new class of nanotubes, and its unique and well-defined structure provides exciting ideas and opportunities to design nanomaterials," said Tom Willhammar. We hope that different zeolitic nanotubes could be obtained with different shapes and sizes.

A nanometer-scale tube made from a 1D material with regular, perforated holes on the sides is now available for exploration. The discovery that could change the way we think about designing porous materials is one of the reasons why the researchers see potential for many practical applications.

Christopher W. Jones is a professor at Georgia Tech and co-principal investigator of the project. The materials may have unique mechanical properties, as well, and we hope researchers will look for creative ways to use them for the benefit of humanity.

There is more information about single-walled zeolitic nanotubes. There is a science.abg3793

Science journal information.

There is a news story about researchers discovering crystallographic zeolites in a nanotubular shape.

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