Definition

1. Noun:
   • A family of hydrated aluminosilicate minerals: Zeolites are a group of minerals, often appearing glassy, that are chemically similar to feldspars. They contain water molecules within their crystalline structure and are composed of aluminum, silicon, and oxygen, with cations like calcium, sodium, or potassium.
   • A mineral with a porous structure: Zeolites have a microporous structure, meaning they contain many tiny channels and cavities. This structure allows them to trap or exchange molecules, making them useful in various industrial applications.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The geologist identified the white crystals in the volcanic rock as zeolite.
  • Zeolite is commonly used in water softeners to remove calcium and magnesium ions.
  • This particular zeolite has a high affinity for absorbing ammonia.

Advanced Usage

• "Natural zeolite" vs. "Synthetic zeolite": This distinction is important in science and industry.

  • Natural zeolites are mined from volcanic deposits.
  • Synthetic zeolites are manufactured for specific catalytic properties in chemical reactors.

• "Zeolite framework": Refers to the specific, repeating three-dimensional atomic structure of the mineral.

  • The research paper analyzed the zeolite framework type A (LTA).

Variants and Related Words

• Zeolitic (adj): Of or relating to zeolites.
  • The rock sample showed zeolitic alteration.

Synonyms

• Molecular sieve: A material with pores of uniform size, often a synthetic zeolite, used to separate molecules.
• Aluminosilicate mineral: A broader mineral group to which zeolites belong.

Different Meanings

• The term zeolite is highly specific to mineralogy and chemistry. It does not have common metaphorical or slang meanings. Its usage is almost exclusively technical, relating to its natural form or its engineered applications in catalysis, filtration, and ion exchange.

Idioms and Phrases

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs using the word zeolite due to its technical nature.

Noun

1. any of a family of glassy minerals analogous to feldspar containing hydrated aluminum silicates of calcium or sodium or potassium; formed in cavities in lava flows and in plutonic rocks