Differences between Molecular Sieve 13x and Molecular Sieve 13x APG
2023-06-27
Molecular sieve 13X and 13X APG are two different types of molecular sieves, and their main differences lie in the preparation process and physical properties.
The preparation process is different:
13X is a traditional synthetic molecular sieve, which is usually synthesized by silicate gel method. 13X APG, on the other hand, is a novel synthetic molecular sieve prepared using a self-assembly method that utilizes ion coordination under mild conditions to achieve self-assembly of molecular sieves.
The physical properties also differ:
Although molecular sieve 13X and 13X APG are structurally similar, their crystal structure, pore size, and chemical properties may differ due to their different preparation processes. For example, molecular sieve 13X APG has stronger adsorption capacity for water vapor and polar molecules than molecular sieve 13X, so in certain specific application fields, molecular sieve 13X APG may exhibit better performance.
Molecular sieves 13X and 13X APG belong to the zeolite type molecular sieves, and their structure and chemical composition are basically the same. However, there are some slight differences in the production process, mainly manifested in the following aspects:
Different water content: The water content of the original molecular sieve 13X powder is about 25%, while the molecular sieve 13X APG can control its water content to be below 10%. This means that the 13X APG has higher thermal stability and mechanical strength.
Different particle sizes: The particle size of molecular sieve 13X APG is much smaller than that of molecular sieve 13X, with an average particle size of about 4 microns, which means that 13X APG can provide better uniform dispersion when mixed with other materials.
Different separation efficiency: Due to the smaller particle size of molecular sieve 13X APG, its pore structure is more detailed and uniform. This special pore structure can increase the surface area and adsorption capacity of molecular sieves, thereby improving separation efficiency. Therefore, in industries such as petrochemicals and chemical pharmaceuticals, 13X APG is commonly used as a material for efficient gas and liquid separation.
Local temperature rise: In some special cases, such as using molecular sieves for adsorption cooling, if there is a local temperature rise, the thermal stability of molecular sieve 13X APG is stronger and less susceptible to thermal deactivation.
Different uses: Due to the excellent performance of molecular sieve 13X APG, especially its low water content and smaller particle size, 13X APG is commonly used for gas and liquid separation, such as air drying agents, industrial gas drying, and the removal of moisture from liquefied natural gas (LNG).
In summary, although the names of molecular sieve 13X and 13X APG are similar, there are certain differences in the preparation process and physical properties. These small differences give them unique performance and advantages in different application scenarios, so when selecting molecular sieve materials, it is necessary to make choices based on specific needs.
Tracy Chen 
