Tiling silicalite-1 nanoslabs into 3D mosaics

Three new zeotiles, materials combining the advantages of micro- and mesoporous silica materials and capable of withstanding 300degreesC, have been designed by tiling Silicalite-1 nano-slabs. The Figure shows the projected silicate framework of one of the zeotiles in yellow, superimposed on a high-resolution electron microscopy simulated image. Applications of the zeotiles as molecular sieves and carriers for catalytic functions may be expected. (See also cover).