Speaker
Description
Topic: Inorganic chemistry and technology,inorganic materials and metallurgy
Zeolites are three-dimensional crystalline compounds that are built from AlO4 and SiO4 tetrahedra. The tetrahedral structures of zeolites can be further linked into different rings. Such structures are called secondary building units. They can contain more than 16 atoms in the ring (only the atoms located in the center of the tetrahedron (Si and Al) are considered). By interconnecting eight of the six members, a polyoctahedron (known as a beta-cage) can be formed. The selectivity on the surface of zeolite as an adsorbent depends on the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio. Aluminum-rich zeolites adsorb polar molecules in their structure and are therefore used as desiccants. A higher proportion of silicon in the structure increases the hydrophobic character of the zeolite. The transition from hydrophilic to hydrophobic form is in the ratio SiO2 / Al2O3 of about 20. The skeleton of zeolites is built from [SiO4] and [AlO4] tetrahedra, they are connected to each other, occupying one or more corners forming a ring through the oxygen atoms. The specific and the unique structure of zeolites allows them to have a variety of applications. This is a new application of zeolite in growing a plant whose properties are improved thanks to the water that zeolites have in their structure. Soils that are mixed with zeolite for growing plants have a higher yield and retain their moisture for a longer time.
Our research was performed on plants that were tested on soil without zeolite and soil with added zeolite. The plant grown with added zeolite has better characteristics and a better yield.
Key words: zeolite, application, agriculture, plant, soil
References:
1.B.CEKOVA: Adsorpcijska svojstva zeolita tipa 4A, Kem. Ind/ 38 (12) 577 – 580 (1989)
2.Ivanova,T., Stoyanov, G.Stoilov, P.Kostov, S. Sapunova 1997 Zeolite gardnes in space. Bo G.Kirov, L.Filizova O.Petrov natural zeolites Sofia 95 ;3-10
3.Polat E, Karaca M, Naci Onus A, Demir H, (2004): Use of natural zeolite (clinoptiolite) in agriculture, Jornal of Friit and Ornamental Plant Research;12,pp. 183 – 189
