zeolite

[ zee-uh-lahyt ]

noun

, Mineralogy.

1. any of a group of hydrated silicates of aluminum with alkali metals, commonly occurring as secondary minerals in cavities in basic volcanic rocks: used for their molecular sieve properties because they undergo dehydration with little or no change in crystal structure.

zeolite

/ ˌziːəˈlɪtɪk; ˈziːəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. any of a large group of glassy secondary minerals consisting of hydrated aluminium silicates of calcium, sodium, or potassium: formed in cavities in lava flows and plutonic rocks
2. See molecular sieve
   any of a class of similar synthetic materials used in ion exchange and as selective absorbents See molecular sieve

zeolite

/ zē′ə-līt′ /

1. Any of a family of hydrous aluminum silicate minerals, whose molecules enclose cations of sodium, potassium, calcium, strontium, or barium. Zeolites are usually white or colorless, but they can also be red or yellow. They are characterized by their easy and reversible loss of water of hydration. They usually occur within cavities in basalt.

Derived Forms

• zeolitic, adjective

Other Words From

• ze·o·lit·ic [zee-, uh, -, lit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of zeolite¹

1770–80; < Greek ze ( în ) to boil + -o- + -lite

Word History and Origins

Origin of zeolite¹

c18: zeo-, from Greek zein to boil + -lite ; from the swelling up that occurs under the blowpipe

Example Sentences

Several medical oxygen generator manufacturers are running low on zeolite, a critical production component that is imported.

From Ars Technica

In a study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, they designed a model mechanism to deploy zeolites coupled with activated carbon that could be placed at the bottom of reservoirs.

From Popular-Science

The size and arrangement of their pores affects what zeolites can be used for, but exactly how to control this attribute during synthesis wasn’t known.

From MIT Technology Review

Now researchers with UniSieve in Switzerland have come up with an alternative to the zeolite.

From Science News For Students

Stilbite, stil′bīt, n. a pearly and foliated variety of zeolite.

From Project Gutenberg

Other specimens have been found in rather an earthy state, and may possibly be the mealy Zeolite of Jameson.

From Project Gutenberg

An amygdaloidal variety containing calcareous spar and zeolite occurs S. of Dudley.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon the moss-clad slopes many fragments of quartz and zeolite were met with.

From Project Gutenberg

It belongs to the Zeolite family, and is a hydrated silicate of lime and potash, containing also fluorine.

From Project Gutenberg