The development of molecular sieve adsorbents for gas separation and purification

Abstract

Porous solids are a rapidly growing group of inorganic and organic substances. Research into their synthesis and fundamental nature offers great promise for innovation. Major progress has been made in the understanding of microporous solids, known as molecular sieves, which are mainly used as catalysts and adsorbents for the separation and purification of fluids and in the production of oxygen and other gases by air separation, for example in pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and vacuum swing adsorption (VSA). Molecular sieves are also used to separate the various fractions of crude oil. This article discusses recent research into the development of novel adsorbent materials for the separation and purification of gases.