Compression of zeolites in penetrating fluids: an overview

Over the last two decades, a new light was shed on the high-pressure behavior of zeolites and on the most important mechanisms adopted by these materials to accommodate compression. However, the early discovery of the P-induced intrusion of H2O molecules into the channels and cages of zeolites, the so-called “overhydration” effect, made clear that suitably small molecules or ions can be entrapped into the structural voids of open-framework materials in response to hydrostatic compression. This principle triggered the use of the so-called “penetrating” fluids as pressure-transmitting media for high-P experiments in diamond anvil cells. In the recent past, the results from these experiments led to the discovery of new potential applications of microporous compounds, as zeolites. The aim of this contribution is to provide a brief overview on the most important findings obtained in this field in the last few years.