Innovative discovery will greatly assist scientists in the further study of porous minerals.
Geochemists from Montreal (McGill University), Moscow (MSU) and Saint-Petersburg (SPbSU) found in Siberia a new material, which was previously obtained only by artificial means.
Metalorganic coordination polymers (MOCP) that scientists first discovered in natural conditions in nature are compounds of metal ions associated rigid organic molecules leading to the formation of three-dimensional porous structures.
To search for MOK in natural conditions, the authors were prompted by the publication in the canadian journal. In it, researchers reported that in 1940-1960-ies in Siberia was discovered a mineral with undetermined crystalline structure. Powder x-ray diffraction, conducted by scientists have shown that the mineral in its properties resembles MOCP.
Scientists have appealed to the Russian colleagues and has received the originals of the two minerals, which were discussed in the canadian magazine. Found in a coal mine in the permafrost decades ago, samples of minerals, as shown by subsequent analysis, do allow classification as MOK.
Scientists hope to find new minerals that meet MOK. Currently these compounds are used to store hydrogen fuel or carbon dioxide. In the case of mass detection, natural MOCP in the 1960-ies of the progress in this field of technology, as the researchers note,
