Zeolites – From curiosity to cornerstone

The term “zeolite” was first coined about 250 years ago by Cronstedt. However, the field of zeolite chemistry lay almost dormant for some nineteen decades thereafter, until the discovery of synthetic zeolites by Barrer and Milton – one of the pivotal episodes that made zeolites into a technological cornerstone of our age. The story is as fascinating as it is complex. In particular, the historical perspective, regarding some of the key events, might not always be easily accessible to younger researchers or students just starting out in the field. Therefore, here, we try and offer a balanced, but necessarily selective and personal overview of the context and motivation(s) behind many of the defining episodes in that transformation of zeolites from ‘curiosity to cornerstone’ up until the mid-1980s, citing a selection of the major scientific/technical works as appropriate to offer the detail where required. We do not aim to provide a comprehensive scientific review, but instead aim to develop some of the historical aspects of zeolite discovery and the interconnections that exist between these discoveries and their protagonists, so as to showcase the fascination that was and still is inherent to the field.

Research highlights
► The context and motivation(s) behind some of the defining episodes in the history of zeolites are examined.
► Interconnections between these zeolite discoveries and their protagonists are developed.
► The path from Cronstedt’s discovery to industrial cornerstone is being traced.