Scientists at TU Dresden discover new phenomenon in the field of gas-solid interactions

In situ measurement setup for structural analysis at a synchrotron (Helmholtz Centre Berlin) TU Dresden, Prof. AC1

Adsorption refers to the process by which molecules of a gas collect on the surface of a solid. Metal-organic frameworks are highly porous materials which are widely used for adsorptive applications such as in the reduction of pollutant emissions.

The scientists from Dresden, Berlin and France have now succeeded in demonstrating that these materials can dynamically change their structures.

During this change of structure, the scientists observed a so far unknown phenomenon: instead of absorbing the gas under pressure increase, the materials released the gas eruptively after reaching a certain threshold.

This new phenomenon in the area of gas-solid interactions is therefore called Negative Gas Adsorption (NGA). Normally, materials respond to increased gas pressure by gathering molecules on the outer or inner surface and thus, the gas pressure is buffered and decreases with time. NGA materials can react towards pressure increase by releasing molecules.

Hence, the pressure is further amplified. This counterintuitive phenomenon is triggered by solid state phase transitions.

Similar to a volcano effect, a small trigger can cause a gas eruption out of this material. Gas pressure amplifying materials represent a new class of solids with potential applications in rescue systems, microengineering and separation applications.

For the full paper, please go to http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature17430.html

Contact details for journalists:
Prof. Dr. Stefan Kaskel
Chairperson
Inorganic Chemistry
Technische Universität Dresden
Bergstr. 66
01069 Dresden
Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 351 463-34885
Fax: +49 (0) 351 463-37287
E-Mail: Stefan.Kaskel@chemie.tu-dresden.de

Media Contact

Kim-Astrid Magister Technische Universität Dresden

More Information:

http://www.tu-dresden.de/

All latest news from the category: Life Sciences and Chemistry

Articles and reports from the Life Sciences and chemistry area deal with applied and basic research into modern biology, chemistry and human medicine.

Valuable information can be found on a range of life sciences fields including bacteriology, biochemistry, bionics, bioinformatics, biophysics, biotechnology, genetics, geobotany, human biology, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, cellular biology, zoology, bioinorganic chemistry, microchemistry and environmental chemistry.

Back to home

Comments (0)

Write a comment

Newest articles

A ‘language’ for ML models to predict nanopore properties

A large number of 2D materials like graphene can have nanopores – small holes formed by missing atoms through which foreign substances can pass. The properties of these nanopores dictate many…

Clinically validated, wearable ultrasound patch

… for continuous blood pressure monitoring. A team of researchers at the University of California San Diego has developed a new and improved wearable ultrasound patch for continuous and noninvasive…

A new puzzle piece for string theory research

Dr. Ksenia Fedosova from the Cluster of Excellence Mathematics Münster, along with an international research team, has proven a conjecture in string theory that physicists had proposed regarding certain equations….