- Researchers - Head Researcher:　 Norio SAITO Senior Researcher: Yoshio ONODERA, Dr. Eng. Senior Researcher: Hiromichi HAYASHI, Dr. Eng. Senior Researcher: Takeo EBINA, Dr. Eng. Researcher:　　　　Takako NAGASE - Research Outline of the Laboratory - 　Smectites or interstratified compounds are micro-crystalline materials, which have important properties such as high specific surface area, expandability, ion-exchange capacity, and are applicable for use as useful industrial materials.In the Inorganic Materials Section, various compounds of the above type are synthesized, and are studied for applicationsaccording to their properties. Research and development has been carried out on the compounds as buffer-materials for the disposal of radioactive wastes, as separation/adsorption agents, catalysts and catalyst-supports. - Main Research Results - Porous material having uniform mesopores of 40A 　The Inorganic Materials Section has developed porous material with uniform mesopores of any diameters in the range of 30〜120A, having large specific surface areas of 200〜900m2/g.It is called silicate crystallite mesoporous material(SCMM),and has a texture composed of randomly arranged plate-like microparticles with a thickness of 10A. The formation of the SCMM mesopore is based on electrostatic connection of micro-particles. The pore diameter can be controlled by changing the particle size or the configuration.It differs significantly from MCM-41,having similar pore chracteristics,developed by the Mobil group in terms of chemical composition. The developed SCMM is excellent in controlling surface properties.It is expected to be applied as a catalyst-support for C1-chemistry, the cracking of oil or the separation of physiologically active substances.