This image shows how the molecules making up the porous liquid create holes for storing large amounts of gas. Image: Queen's University Belfast.Scientists at Queen’s University Belfast have made a major breakthrough by creating the first ever porous liquid.
Working with colleagues at the University of Liverpool and other international partners, the scientists found that their new porous liquid can dissolve unusually large amounts of gas, which are absorbed into the ‘holes’ in the liquid. The results of their research are published in Nature.
The three-year research project could pave the way for using porous liquids in many green chemical processes. These processes include carbon capture, in which the carbon dioxide produced by major sources such as fossil-fuel power plants are captured and stored to prevent it being released into the atmosphere.
“Materials which contain permanent holes, or pores, are technologically important. They are used for manufacturing a range of products from plastic bottles to petrol. However, until recently, these porous materials have been solids,” explains Stuart James of Queen’s School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.
”What we have done is to design a special liquid from the ‘bottom-up’ – we designed the shapes of the molecules which make up the liquid so that the liquid could not fill up all the space. Because of the empty holes we then had in the liquid, we found that it was able to dissolve unusually large amounts of gas. These first experiments are what is needed to understand this new type of material, and the results point to interesting long-term applications which rely on dissolution of gases.
“A few more years’ research will be needed, but if we can find applications for these porous liquids they could result in new or improved chemical processes. At the very least, we have managed to demonstrate a very new principle – that by creating holes in liquids we can dramatically increase the amount of gas they can dissolve. These remarkable properties suggest interesting applications in the long term.”
This story is adapted from material from Queen’s University Belfast, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier. Link to original source.