TimmyHNeutralizing Fluorocarbons
September 23rd 2008 03:08
A new catalyst that breaks down fluorocarbons could be employed to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers at Brandeis University have discovered that a silicon-based catalyst that regenerates itself could be employed as a renewable way to break down CFCs.
"The basic idea is that we use three things: the fluorocarbon, a silicon-based hydrogen source, and a catalyst which mediates between the two to replace the fluorine in the fluorocarbon with hydrogen," says Ozerov. "The active part of the catalyst is a positively charged silicon compound that kicks off the reaction by ripping the fluorine out of the fluorocarbon bond."
The major challenge for the researchers is now to find a source of cheap silicon. At present, the material is too expensive for consumption in the process. While the technique is widely accepted to be chemically sound, its long-term industrial viability will depend on this.
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"The basic idea is that we use three things: the fluorocarbon, a silicon-based hydrogen source, and a catalyst which mediates between the two to replace the fluorine in the fluorocarbon with hydrogen," says Ozerov. "The active part of the catalyst is a positively charged silicon compound that kicks off the reaction by ripping the fluorine out of the fluorocarbon bond."
The major challenge for the researchers is now to find a source of cheap silicon. At present, the material is too expensive for consumption in the process. While the technique is widely accepted to be chemically sound, its long-term industrial viability will depend on this.
Really Long Link
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