“Boiling Stones” — The Discovery and Development of Molecular Sieves

In 1756, Swedish mineralogist Cronstedt discovered a special aluminosilicate mineral while studying basalt. When heated in water, the mineral exhibited a boiling-like phenomenon, earning it the name “zeolite”. This accidental discovery marked the beginning of the remarkable journey of molecular sieve materials.

From the 19th to early 20th century, scientists gradually uncovered the unique properties of zeolites. In 1840, researchers found that natural zeolites possessed reversible hydration and dehydration behavior. By 1925, it was discovered that dehydrated chabazite could selectively adsorb small molecules, leading to the first mention of zeolites’ “sieving effect.” In 1932, British chemist McBain formally introduced the term “molecular sieve,” defining it as a porous material capable of separating substances at the molecular scale.

The mid-20th century saw groundbreaking advancements. In the 1950s, Union Carbide Corporation developed the A-type and X-type molecular sieves and commercialized their production, marking the beginning of industrial applications. In the following decades, Mobil Oil’s development of ZSM-5 aluminosilicate zeolite propelled molecular sieves into a golden age, enabling widespread use in catalytic cracking, gas separation, and more.

To overcome the pore-size limitations of microporous molecular sieves, Mobil Corporation synthesized the mesoporous material MCM-41 in 1992, a milestone achievement in the field. In 1998, the research team led by Academician Zhao Dongyuan at Fudan University successfully synthesized SBA-15 using triblock copolymers as templates, adding a significant member to the mesoporous molecular sieve family.

Today, molecular sieve research has made remarkable progress in areas such as morphology control, pore-channel confinement, and elemental doping. By introducing structure-directing agents and functional elements, scientists have developed ultra-large-pore and hierarchical-pore materials, greatly expanding the boundaries of molecular sieve applications.

Shanghai Joozeo’s molecular sieve portfolio covers a wide range of applications, including air drying, air purification, oxygen generation, nitrogen generation, hydrogen production, desulfurization, and refrigeration. From traditional catalysis and adsorption to emerging fields such as energy storage, environmental remediation, biomedicine, and optoelectronic devices, molecular sieves continue to demonstrate boundless potential in technological innovation thanks to their unique structures and exceptional performance.