Preparation of Flexible Zeolite-Tethering Vegetable Fibers

A novel approach to assembling monolayers of zeolite-Y crystals on the surfaces of vegetable fibers, such as cotton, hemp, and linen, via covalent linkages is introduced. By polymer linkage the binding strength can be increased to such a degree that well over 90 % of the surface-lining zeolite crystal can endure sonication in toluene for 1 h. The Figure shows an SEM image of zeolite-Y crystals attached to the surface of cotton fibers.