[Natural zeolites with medical applications--preliminary preparation and characterization]

The aim of this research is to carry out a preliminary study of the chemical behavior of natural zeolites under thermal and chemical activation. Taking into account the biological properties reported for the NZ, the authors study the influence of different activations on the structural behavior of the raw material, aiming at the future preparation of slow release systems. The raw material used in this study was the purified natural zeolites from Bârsana, Piatra Verde and Slănic Moldova deposits. The samples were characterized following specific techniques: XRD, SEM, EDAX, IR, pH measurements and determinations of the specific surface. The results indicate that the natural zeolites could used like as carriers in medical applications because they increase their specific surface after activation. Studies of the release of pharmaceuticals from the zeolitic host systems are in progress.