Molecular sieve

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A sealed canister, commonly filled with silica gel and other molecular sieves used as desiccant in drug containers to keep contents dry. The US Quarter in the photo is 26.5 millimetres (1.04 in) in diameter.

A molecular sieve is a material with very small holes of precise and uniform size. These holes are small enough to block large molecules, while allowing small molecules to pass. Many molecular sieves are used as desiccants. Some examples include activated charcoal and silica gel.[1]

The diameter of a molecular sieve is measured in ångströms (Å) or nanometres (nm). According to IUPAC notation, microporous materials have pore diameters of less than 2 nm (20 Å) and macroporous materials have pore diameters of greater than 50 nm (500 Å); the mesoporous category thus lies in the middle with pore diameters between 2 and 50 nm (20–500 Å).[2]


Molecular sieves can be microporous, mesoporous, or macroporous material.

Microporous material (<2 nm)[edit]

Mesoporous material (2–50 nm)[edit]

Macroporous material (>50 nm)[edit]


Molecular sieves are used as adsorbent for gases and liquids. Molecules small enough to pass through the pores are adsorbed while larger molecules are not. It is different from a common filter in that it operates on a molecular level and traps the adsorbed substance. For instance, a water molecule may be small enough to pass through the pores while larger molecules are not, so water is forced into the pores which act as a trap for the penetrating water molecules, which are retained within the pores. Because of this, they often function as a desiccant. A molecular sieve can adsorb water up to 22% of its own weight.[7] The principle of adsorption to molecular sieve particles is somewhat similar to that of size exclusion chromatography, except that without a changing solution composition, the adsorbed product remains trapped because, in the absence of other molecules able to penetrate the pore and fill the space, a vacuum would be created by desorption.

Comparison to zeolites
Molecular sieves Zeolites
Able to distinguish materials on the basis of their size Special class of molecular sieves with aluminosilicates as skeletal composition
May be crystalline, non-crystalline, para-crystalline or pillared clays Highly crystalline materials
Variable framework charge with porous structure Anionic framework with microporous and crystalline structure


Molecular sieves are often utilized in the petroleum industry, especially for the purification of gas streams and in the chemistry laboratory for separating compounds and drying reaction starting materials. For example, in the liquid natural gas (LNG) industry, the water content of the gas needs to be reduced to very low values (less than 1 ppmv) to prevent it from freezing (and causing blockages) in the cold section of LNG plants.

They are also used in the filtration of air supplies for breathing apparatus, for example those used by scuba divers and firefighters. In such applications, air is supplied by an air compressor and is passed through a cartridge filter which, dependent on the application, is filled with molecular sieve and/or activated carbon, finally being used to charge breathing air tanks.[8] Such filtration can remove particulates and compressor exhaust products from the breathing air supply.

FDA approval[edit]

The FDA has as of April 1, 2012 approved sodium aluminosilicate for direct contact with consumable items under 21 CFR 182.2727.[9] Prior to this approval Europe had used molecular sieves with pharmaceuticals and independent testing suggested that molecular sieves meet all government requirements but the industry had been unwilling to fund the expensive testing required for government approval.[10]


Methods for regeneration of molecular sieves include pressure change (as in oxygen concentrators), heating and purging with a carrier gas (as when used in ethanol dehydration), or heating under high vacuum. Regeneration temperatures range from 175 °C to 315 °C depending on molecular sieve type.[11] In contrast, silica gel can be regenerated by heating it in a regular oven to 120 °C (250 °F) for two hours. However, some types of silica gel will "pop" when exposed to enough water. This is caused by breakage of the silica spheres when contacting the water.[12]

Adsorption capabilities[edit]

Model Pore diameter (Ångström) Bulk density (g/ml) Adsorbed water (% w/w) Attrition or abrasion, W (% w/w) Usage[13]
3 0.60–0.68 19–20 0.3–0.6 Desiccation of petroleum cracking gas and alkenes, selective adsorption of H2O in insulated glass (IG) and polyurethane
4 0.60–0.65 20–21 0.3–0.6 Adsorption of water in sodium aluminosilicate which is FDA approved (see below) used as molecular sieve in medical containers to keep contents dry and as food additive having E-number E-554 (anti-caking agent); Preferred for static dehydration in closed liquid or gas systems, e.g., in packaging of drugs, electric components and perishable chemicals; water scavenging in printing and plastics systems and drying saturated hydrocarbon streams. Adsorbed species include SO2, CO2, H2S, C2H4, C2H6, and C3H6. Generally considered a universal drying agent in polar and nonpolar media;[11] separation of natural gas and alkenes, adsorption of water in non-nitrogen sensitive polyurethane
5Å-DW 5 0.45–0.50 21–22 0.3–0.6 Degreasing and pour point depression of aviation kerosene and diesel, and alkenes separation
5Å small oxygen-enriched 5 0.4–0.8 ≥23 Specially designed for medical or healthy oxygen generator[citation needed]
5 0.60–0.65 20–21 0.3–0.5 Desiccation and purification of air; dehydration and desulphurization of natural gas and liquid petroleum gas; oxygen and hydrogen production by pressure swing adsorption process
10X 8 0.50–0.60 23–24 0.3–0.6 High-efficient sorption, be used in desiccation, decarburization, desulphurization of gas and liquids and separation of aromatic hydrocarbon
13X 10 0.55–0.65 23–24 0.3–0.5 Desiccation, desulphurization and purification of petroleum gas and natural gas
13X-AS 10 0.55–0.65 23–24 0.3–0.5 Decarburization and desiccation in the air separation industry, separation of nitrogen from oxygen in oxygen concentrators
Cu-13X 10 0.50–0.60 23–24 0.3–0.5 Sweetening (removal of thiols) of aviation fuel and corresponding liquid hydrocarbons


  • Chemical formula: 2/3K2O•1/3Na2O•Al2O3• 2 SiO2 • 9/2 H2O
  • Silica-alumina ratio: SiO2/ Al2O3≈2

3Å molecular sieves do not adsorb chemicals whose molecular diameters are larger than 3 Å. The characteristics of these molecular sieves include fast adsorption speed, frequent regeneration ability, good crushing resistance and pollution resistance. These features can improve both the efficiency and lifetime of the sieve. 3Å molecular sieves are the necessary desiccant in petroleum and chemical industries for refining oil, polymerization, and chemical gas-liquid depth drying.

3Å molecular sieves are used to dry a range of materials, such as ethanol, air, refrigerants, natural gas and unsaturated hydrocarbons. The latter include cracking gas, acetylene, ethylene, propylene and butadiene.

3Å molecular sieves are stored at room temperature, with a relative humidity not more than 90%. They are sealed under reduced pressure, being kept away from water, acids and alkali's.


  • Chemical formula: Na2O•Al2O3•2SiO2•9/2H2O
  • Silica-alumina ratio: SiO2/ Al2O3≈2

4Å molecular sieve is a kind of alkali metal silicic acid salt and can absorb water and other molecules with a critical diameter less than 4 Å such as NH3, H2S, SO2, CO2, C2H5OH, C2H6, and C2H4. It is widely used in the drying, refining and purification of liquids and gases (such as the preparation of argon).

Polyester agent additives[edit]

These molecular sieves are used to assist detergents as they can produce demineralized water through calcium ion exchange, remove and prevent the deposition of dirt. They are widely used to replace phosphorus. The 4Å molecular sieve plays a major role to replace sodium tripolyphosphate as detergent auxiliary in order to mitigate the environmental impact of the detergent. It also can be used as a soap forming agent and in toothpaste.

Harmful waste treatment[edit]

4Å molecular sieves can purify sewage of cationic species such as ammonium ions, Pb2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+. Due to the high selectivity for NH4+ they have been successfully applied in the field to combat eutrophication and other effects in waterways due to excessive ammonium ions. 4Å molecular sieves have also been used to remove heavy metal ions present in water due to industrial activities.

Other purposes[edit]

  1. The metallurgical industry - separating agent, separation, extraction of brine potassium, rubidium, cesium, etc.
  2. Petrochemical industry, catalyst, desiccant, adsorbent
  3. Agriculture - soil conditioner;
  4. Medicine - load silver zeolite antibacterial agent.


  • Chemical formula: 0.7CaO•0.30Na2O•Al2O3•2.0SiO2 •4.5H2O
  • Silica-alumina ratio: SiO2/ Al2O3≈2

5Å molecular sieves are often utilized in the petroleum industry, especially for the purification of gas streams and in the chemistry laboratory for separating compounds and drying reaction starting materials. They contains tiny pores of a precise and uniform size, and it are mainly used as an adsorbent for gases and liquids.

5Å molecular sieves are used to dry natural gas drying, along with performing desulfurization and decarbonation of the gas. They can also be used to separate mixtures of oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen, and oil-wax n-hydrocarbons from branched and polycyclic hydrocarbons.

5Å molecular sieves are stored at room temperature, with a relative humidity less than 90% in cardboard barrels or carton packaging. The molecular sieves should not be directly exposed to the air and water, acids and alkalis should be avoided.

See also[edit]


  1. ^ "Molecular Sieve Definition - Definition of Molecular Sieve - What Is a Molecular Sieve?". 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2014-02-26. 
  2. ^ J. Rouquerol et al. (1994). "Recommendations for the characterization of porous solids (Technical Report)" (FREE DOWNLOAD PDF). Pure & Appl. Chem 66 (8): 1739–1758. doi:10.1351/pac199466081739. 
  3. ^ "COATED MOLECULAR SIEVE - Patent application". 2010-03-18. Retrieved 2014-02-26. 
  4. ^ Brindley, George W. (1952). "Structural mineralogy of clays". Clays and Clay Minerals 1: 33–43. Bibcode:1952CCM.....1...33B. doi:10.1346/CCMN.1952.0010105. 
  5. ^ "Desiccant Types". Retrieved 2014-02-26. 
  6. ^ Mann, B. F.; Mann, A. K. P.; Skrabalak, S. E.; Novotny, M. V. (2013). "Sub 2-μm Macroporous Silica Particles Derivatized for Enhanced Lectin Affinity Enrichment of Glycoproteins". Analytical Chemistry 85 (3): 1905–1912. doi:10.1021/ac303274w. PMC 3586544. PMID 23278114.  edit
  7. ^ "Xinyuan Molecular Sieve". Retrieved 2014-02-26. 
  8. ^ [1][dead link]
  9. ^ "Sec. 182.2727 Sodium aluminosilicate.". U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 1 April 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012. 
  10. ^ "Molecular Sieve Desiccant". Retrieved 2014-02-26. 
  11. ^ a b "Molecular Sieves". Sigma-Aldrich. Retrieved 2014-02-26. 
  12. ^ Spence Konde, "Preparation of High-Silica Zeolite Beads From Silica Gel," retrieved 2011-09-26
  13. ^ "Molecular Sieve,yiyuan Molecular Sieves". Retrieved 2014-02-26. 

External links[edit]