Glossary of terms used on NANO Magazine

Z

Zeolite

Any one of a family of hydrous aluminum silicate minerals, whose molecules enclose cations of sodium, potassium, calcium, strontium, or barium, or a corresponding synthetic compound, used chiefly as molecular filters and ion-exchange agents. Zeolite nanocrystals can act as hosts for supramolecular organization of molecules, complexes and clusters, thus encouraging the design of precise functionalities. The main role of the zeolite framework is to provide the desired geometrical properties for arranging and stabilizing the incorporated species.