British scientists develop plastic polymer sponge
British scientists develop plastic polymer sponge
At present, all kinds of natural disasters caused by the global warming phenomenon, scientists are working to develop a new method of management, according to foreign media reports, the British research group newly developed a kind of can absorb carbon dioxide "sponge", perhaps the future will play a key role to curb global climate warmed up.
The team points out that "sponges" are made from plastic polymer molecules that convert carbon dioxide from fossil fuels into hydrogen and as a new source of energy.
The molecule is close to the plastic material used to make food packaging and can be installed in the future to be integrated in a power plant chimney. The study is published in the fair of the 248th session of the American chemical society national conference, the university of Liverpool, "said Dr Andrew Cooper (Andrew) Cooper," the key lies in the molecule is very stable, and the cost is low, it absorbs carbon dioxide effect is very good, and the sponge device has a unique environmental effect, the future use of fuel cell technology, the adsorption material can achieve zero emissions."
Carbon dioxide adsorbent is often used to remove carbon dioxide from coal-fired power plant chimney gases, but Dr. Cooper, said the new material will be integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) part of the emerging technology, it can transform fossil fuel emissions for hydrogen.
Some scientists believe that hydrogen has huge potential applications for fuel cell cars and power generation because it produces little pollution during the energy conversion process. IGCC is a bridging technology that can be applied to hydrogen fuel conversion while still using existing fossil fuel infrastructure.
Dr. Cooper points out, "sponge" best in the integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) operating environment, it is like a kitchen sponge, encounter a water will expand, when the molecular structure of small space to absorb carbon dioxide, will be slightly expanded. When the pressure drops, the absorbent polymer deflates, releases the gas, and then collects or transforms the gas into a valuable carbon compound.
Is a brown powder, this material is composed of many small carbon-based molecules linked into a mesh structure, one of the strengths of the use of the polymer is very stable, the material can even in acidic liquid boiling, able to power plant under the bad environment; Another advantage is that it absorbs carbon dioxide gas without having to touch it, and its low cost makes it more attractive.
