A microporous material is a substance that contains pores with diameters less than 2 nanometers (nm). Examples of microporous materials include zeolites and metal-organic frameworks. These materials are used in various applications, such as in laboratory environments to facilitate contaminant-free exchange of gases and in large format printing applications to maintain color balance and life expectancy of printed images. They are also used as high-performance insulation in applications ranging from homes to metal furnaces, requiring material that can withstand more than 1000 degrees Celsius. Microporous materials are essential for their ability to trap contaminants while allowing gases to pass through, creating a sterile environment within the contained area[1].
Microporous materials are often used in laboratory environments to facilitate contaminant-free exchange of gases. Mold spores, bacteria, and other airborne contaminants will become trapped while gases are allowed to pass through the material. This allows for a sterile environment within the contained area[1].
Molecular sieves, a type of microporous material, are often utilized in the petroleum industry, especially for drying gas streams. For example, in the liquid natural gas (LNG) industry, the water content of the gas needs to be reduced to less than 1 ppmv to prevent blockages caused by ice or methane clathrate. In the laboratory, molecular sieves are used to dry solvents and have proven to be superior to traditional drying techniques[2].
A mesoporous material, on the other hand, is a nanoporous material containing pores with diameters between 2 and 50 nm. Typical mesoporous materials include silica and alumina with similarly sized mesopores. Mesoporous carbon is a flagship of mesoporous materials and has direct applications in energy storage devices[3].
In summary, microporous materials play a crucial role in various industrial and laboratory applications due to their ability to selectively trap contaminants while allowing the passage of gases. They are used in gas drying, insulation, and printing areas, making them versatile and valuable substances in a wide range of fields[1][2].
Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microporous_material
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_sieve
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesoporous_material
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeolite
[5] https://research.manchester.ac.uk/files/54544445/FULL_TEXT.PDF
A microporous material is a material containing pores with diameters less than 2 nm. Examples of microporous materials include zeolites and metal-organic frameworks.
Porous materials are classified into several kinds by their size. The recommendations of a panel convened by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) are:
- Microporous materials have pore diameters of less than 2 nm.
- Mesoporous materials have pore diameters between 2 nm and 50 nm.
- Macroporous materials have pore diameters of greater than 50 nm.
Micropores may be defined differently in other contexts. For example, in the context of porous aggregations such as soil, micropores are defined as cavities with sizes less than 30 μm.