Zeolite catalysts and adsorbents have been an integral part of many commercial processes and are projected to play a significant role in emerging technologies to address the changing energy and environmental landscapes. The ability to rationally design zeolites with tailored properties relies on a fundamental understanding of crystallization pathways to strategically manipulate processes of nucleation and growth. The complexity of zeolite growth media engenders a diversity of crystallization mechanisms that can manifest at different synthesis stages. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of classical and nonclassical pathways associated with the formation of (alumino)silicate zeolites. We begin with a brief overview of zeolite history and seminal advancements, followed by a comprehensive discussion of different classes of zeolite precursors with respect to their methods of assembly and physicochemical properties. The following two sections provide detailed discussions of nucleation and growth pathways wherein we emphasize general trends and highlight specific observations for select zeolite framework types. We then close with conclusions and future outlook to summarize key hypotheses, current knowledge gaps, and potential opportunities to guide zeolite synthesis toward a more exact science.

中文翻译：

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目前对沸石结晶机理的认识

沸石催化剂和吸附剂已成为许多商业流程不可或缺的一部分，预计将在新兴技术中发挥重要作用，以应对不断变化的能源和环境景观。合理设计具有定制特性的沸石的能力依赖于对结晶途径的基本理解，以战略性地操纵成核和生长过程。沸石生长介质的复杂性产生了多种结晶机制，这些机制可以在不同的合成阶段表现出来。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了当前对与（铝）硅酸盐沸石形成相关的经典和非经典途径的理解。我们首先简要概述沸石的历史和开创性的进展，然后全面讨论不同类别的沸石前体的组装方法和物理化学性质。以下两节提供了对成核和生长途径的详细讨论，其中我们强调一般趋势并强调对选定沸石骨架类型的具体观察。然后，我们以结论和未来展望来总结关键假设、当前知识差距和潜在机会，以指导沸石合成走向更精确的科学。