Zeolites: Materials for Nanodevices

We present two novel approaches to using zeolite crystals for ``nanodevices''. First, single-crystal zeolites have been aligned within the grooves of micromachined silicon wafers for a three-dimensional ordering of dye molecules (p-nitroaniline). The orientation of p-nitroaniline molecules absorbed within the channel system of the aligned zeolites by steric constraints provides an opportunity to study the optical properties of the composite. Second, zeolites with their high surface-to-mass ratio and selectivity are ideal materials to enhance the sensitivity of micron-scale sensor devices to loading. As an example, experimental data on humidity sensing using a few single-crystal zeolites attached to a cantilever sensor is presented.