Question: What do zeolites contain and what in them make them so important?

Alexander Munnoch answered on 25 Nov 2021:

Zeolites are make from aluminium, silicon and oxygen. They can contain other ion-exchanging elements (usually alkali metals or hydrogen/protons) in order to balance the charge in the structure (because Al = 3+, Si = 4+ and O = 2-).

They are important because they are the best existing chemicals/materials for certain jobs. e.g. ion-exchange and water softening (high surface area and environmentally friendly – as they are basically porous rocks), if ion-exchanges with an acid they behave as solid acid catalysts (meaning they can be used as a replacement for sluphuric acid or as metal catalyst supports) and are thermally stable to ~ 650 degrees celcius meaning they can be used for a very wide range of industrial processes.