Recently, according to the Russian satellite news agency sputniknews, scientists at the Tomsk University of Technology in Russia have developed a new technical solution-based on clay raw materials and zeolite raw materials to prepare high-quality architectural ceramics for the interior and exterior walls of buildings, and it has been proved by experiments. After adding 10% to 30% of zeolite, the cohesiveness of the clay in the ceramic can be maintained, and the sensitivity of the clay to drying can be reduced by 3.5 to 4 times. In the context of the current reduction in high-quality clay reserves, this research and development plan has practical significance. In addition, with the rapid growth of the global porous material market demand, zeolite, as one of the high-quality porous materials, has matured into the ceramics field by virtue of its excellent physical and chemical properties.

In the traditional ceramic production process, clay and loam of poor quality, soaked in water, and low melting point are often used, but semi-finished products made of these raw materials in a dry environment often have flaws and cracks. Scientists from Tomsk University of Technology in Russia have found a way to reduce the moisture content of clay in a plastic concentration state through experimental research and development, and create a moisture transmission path that helps to form a crack-resistant ceramic structure during the drying process-using clay Raw materials and zeolite raw materials produce a high-quality building ceramic material for the interior and exterior walls of buildings.

Due to the developed pore structure of zeolite, its physical and chemical properties are similar to many ceramic materials, and it has the characteristics of high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, radiation resistance, and strong adsorption. The high content of alkalis inside also helps to play its own role in the ceramic blank. Flux function. In addition, after grinding, zeolite has a certain degree of plasticity and bonding ability during forming, and good sinterability during calcination. Therefore, the ceramic field at home and abroad uses it as a bonding material for ceramic blanks, which can effectively reduce the plastic concentration of clay. The moisture content in the state and the creation of a moisture transmission path that helps to form a crack-resistant ceramic structure during the drying process.

Application and advantages of zeolite in ceramic industry

In fact, natural zeolite has long been widely used in modern ceramics industry, and highlights good social and economic benefits. Developed countries have studied zeolite ceramics earlier and have now entered the stage of practical application. However, my country started late and has achieved certain results and progress.

Domestic ceramic expert Zhan Wei believes that it is feasible to use natural zeolite to produce ceramic interior wall tiles; the lightweight foam ceramic tile invented by Yan Jianhua and others solves the problem of expansion and deformation during the firing process by adding zeolite. This tile has high green strength , Low damage rate, light weight and other advantages, can be large-scale industrial production.
In developed countries such as Europe and the United States, researchers have confirmed that zeolite can be used in the development of high-quality ceramics, foam glass-ceramics and other building materials, and has achieved mature industrial development. When the zeolite material is processed by the process, and the zeolite has a low melting temperature and a suitable viscosity for forming a melt, it can be used to prepare high-quality ceramics, foam glass-ceramics and other materials.

In addition, in today’s post-epidemic era, bacteria such as the new crown pneumonia virus and influenza virus continue to spread and spread, seriously threatening human health. Controlling and eliminating the growth and reproduction of viruses and harmful bacteria has become a focus of public concern. With the improvement of people's living standards, the public's demand for antibacterial materials is also increasing.

Some ceramic companies also pay attention to zeolite material. As an inorganic mineral, it can meet the needs of antibacterial products. Therefore, researchers prepare it as a sterile antibacterial agent and apply it to ceramic materials. The sterilization rate can be greater than 99. % Of antibacterial tiles, which are used in indoor and outdoor walls, can kill and prevent the reproduction of bacteria, prevent the growth of various microorganisms, and have the functions of anti-mildew, purifying air and far-infrared effects.

In addition, related scholars have conducted experiments to demonstrate the antibacterial effect of zeolite ceramics: Weigh a certain amount of antibacterial zeolite, and mix 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% of antibacterial glaze according to the mass ratio of antibacterial zeolite/glaze. After roasting for 1 hour, the ceramic product was cooled and placed in a culture medium for culturing Escherichia coli and a blank medium for an antibacterial comparison experiment. As a result, it can be found that the ceramic added with zeolite has obvious antibacterial efficiency.

With the advancement of science and technology, the development of society and the improvement of people's living standards, a high-quality, healthy and safe living environment has increasingly become the pursuit of the public. The birth and development of zeolite ceramics represents one of the development directions of functional ceramics in the future. While maintaining the original functions and decorative effects of traditional ceramic products, it has multiple advantages and can be widely used in medical, household, sanitary, Civil or industrial buildings and other fields have very broad market development prospects, so they have become one of the hotspots in the research and development of high-tech products. At the same time, we also expect that zeolite will play more functions in more fields.