APPLICATIONS FOR SPECIAL-PURPOSE MINERALS AT A LUNAR BASE

Maintaining a cohmy on the Moon uqll require the use of lunar resources to reduce the number t;f launches neressa o, to transI_n`t gtxMs from the Earth. It may he possible to alter lunar materials to prt_luce minerals or other materials that can be used for applications in life supptwt systems at a lum¢r base. For example, mild hydrothetwu _ alteration of lunar basaltic " glasses can produce spet_algnatx_se minerals (e.g., zeotites, smectites, and t,xbermorites) that in turn may be used in life sulgxn`t, construction, uc_ste renot_tion, and cherra'cal prt_'esses. A tzarie _ of zeolites, smoctites, feldspars, feldspathoids, and t¢_erm_rdtes tmle been synthesized by mild hydn_thermal alterations of st_tthetic basaltic glasses uSth chemical compositions similar to lunar basaltic glasses. Zeolites, smeclites, and tobermorites have a number of potential applications at a lunar base. Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicates of alkali and alkaline earth cations that lX)ssess it#nite, three¢limensional cO,star structures. The), _we further charax'terized hy an ability to hydrate and dehydrate reversibly and to exchange some of their constituent cations, both uqthout tnajcn ` change of structure. Based on their unique adsorption, cation exchange, molecular sieving and catalytic properties, zeolites may he used us a solid support medium for the gnm,th of plants, as an adsorption medium for sffJarat12;n of t_lrious gases (e.g., N2 from 02), as catalysts, us molet_dar siel_es, and as a cation exchanger in seucige-effluen