Paulingite is a mineral belonging to the zeolite group, named after the renowned American chemist Linus Pauling. It is a relatively rare mineral that occurs as a zeolite secondary mineral in basalts and related igneous rocks. It was first discovered in 1964 in the De Kalb County, Illinois, United States.
The mineral has a unique crystal structure, characterized by three-dimensional framework of interconnected channels and cages, which gives it an important role in applications involving molecular sieving and catalysis. It is composed mainly of aluminum, silicon, and oxygen, with additional cations such as calcium, potassium, and sodium occupying the voids in the crystal lattice.
Paulingite is typically found as colorless to white, translucent crystals, often forming aggregates of radiating crystals or filling cavities in rock formations. Its physical properties include a vitreous luster, a Mohs hardness of around 5.5 to 6, and a relatively low specific gravity. It is also non-radioactive.
Due to its exceptional molecular sieving properties, paulingite has been used as an adsorbent in various industrial applications, including gas separation, water purification, and catalysis. It is particularly effective in adsorbing water and ammonia molecules. Additionally, its high cation exchange capacity and thermal stability make it a valuable zeolite in various chemical processes.
In summary, paulingite is an uncommon zeolite mineral named after Linus Pauling, possessing a distinctive crystal structure and important molecular sieving properties that find applications in diverse industrial processes.
