Plastics and Ecological Cheapest The first silver copper oxide known, synthesized at the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (CSIC), can cheapen and simplify the manufacturing of plastics. This oxide (now a family of oxides) reduces the time and temperature required to produce formaldehyde (an intermediate in the synthesis of polymers), resulting in increased productivity and energy savings for the industry. The result has led to a patent and seeking partners for its industrial exploitation. Another possible application are based fuel cells methanol, alternatives to hydrogen. 1
"It's surprising that nobody has found this material before," said Pedro Gomez-Romero, project, which refers to "the beauty of simplicity."
Attempts to synthesize other international laboratories, based on the heating of copper oxide and silver, were always with the same problem: the silver tends to separate from oxygen at high temperatures associated with solid state reactions. scientists Materials Science Institute of Barcelona solved it with a much simpler and is developed at room temperature.
The formula works at first sight is as easy: "Just dissolve a salt of copper and silver in water and force their coprecipitation in basic medium, forming a precursor that gives rise to new mixed oxide of copper and silver unlike the silver oxide is stable in air to 350 ยบ C ".
oxidation of alcohols "This material was synthesized seeking immediate implementation. Just answer a basic scientific interest," says Gomez-Romero, who since then has collaborated with other centers in search of prospective applications. After publishing his first work received calls from various specialists interested in various aspects of oxide, such as mineralogy, magnetic or catalytic properties.
more fruitful contact came from the hand of Gerhard Mestl, then renowned scientist Fritz-Haber Institute in Berlin, and currently has dissociated to form a technology company. This researcher "agreed with us to consider the newly discovered oxide as potentially interesting. We opened a new door to study and discover the catalytic compound in the partial oxidation of alcohols.
"Our compound, for example, greatly facilitated the partial oxidation of methanol to give formaldehyde, especially at low temperatures of reaction, "says Gomez-Romero, who added that formaldehyde is one of the essential intermediates for the synthesis of polymeric resins and plastics. When you work better at low temperatures this catalyst is a reduction in firms' energy consumption thereby drive down costs and reduce environmental impact.
compound greatly facilitates the reaction of partial oxidation of methanol to give formaldehyde
Fuel Cells Moreover, at higher temperatures The same oxide is able to catalyze the total oxidation methanol to CO2 and water, which could be exploited in their application in methanol fuel cells directly, an alternative to hydrogen has the advantages of operating a liquid fuel.
If the methanol derived from biomass (natural waste), regardless of who produces CO2, because this gas "has been previously fixed in plant tissues of the biomass and re-circulate in a closed cycle without increasing the overall quantity in the atmosphere, "says Gomez-Romero.
While this second application "be proven", the oxide as a catalyst properties have been demonstrated in laboratory, which has led to a patent and to seek partners possible industrial exploitation.
The following video shows the manufacturing of plastic bags
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