Ion-exchangers aluminosilicate zeolite

It was Thomson [26], in 1845, who first performed a scientific study of ion exchange in soils. Almost, at the same time, Way [27] showed that the effect was related to aluminosilicates present in soils. Later, Lemberg and Wiegner [28,29] identified zeolites, clays, and other minerals as the aluminosilicates responsible for ion exchange in soils. Moreover, Eichorn [30], for the first time, studied ion exchange quantitatively, showing the reversibility of the reaction in some natural zeolites, such as chabazite and natrolite. 

The Physical Chemistry of Materials Energy and Environmental Applications 

FIGURE 7.1 Schematic representation of the HEU framework structure of clinoptilolite along the crystallographic direction [001]. 

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