How do molecular sieves work?


2023-09-13

  Molecular sieves are porous materials with very small and uniformly sized pores. They work like kitchen sieves, but on a molecular scale, separating gas mixtures containing molecules of various sizes. Only molecules smaller than the pores can pass through; larger molecules are blocked. If the molecules to be separated are the same size, molecular sieves can also separate them based on polarity. Sieves are used as desiccants in various applications and help prevent product degradation.