The difference between natural zeolite and synthetic zeolite
May.20,2024
Synthetic materials are made from energy-consuming chemicals, while natural materials are processed from natural mineral bodies. The ratio of silica to alumina is 1:1 for synthetic zeolites and 5:1 for clinoptilolite (clino) zeolites. Clino natural zeolite will not decompose in a weakly acidic environment, while synthetic zeolite will. The natural zeolite structure has a more acid-resistant silica that holds its structure together. Clino natural zeolite is widely accepted in the agricultural industry as a soil conditioner and feed additive.
In 1948, Richard Barrer first produced a synthetic zeolite that had no natural counterpart. Around the same time, Milton made the first materials that had no natural counterpart, such as zeolite A. New natural zeolites are still being discovered, and new synthetic zeolites are being invented in many laboratories around the world.
