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29/11/2011
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Scientists say they have developed a new way to create nanoporous materials, with potential applications in everything from water purification to chemical sensors.
 Until now, building nanoporous materials was limited, as it was believed the minor component – the removal of which creates the pores – had first to be connected throughout the structure, as well as to the outside.
However, research published on Sunday, 27 November in the journal Nature Materials suggests a much more effective, flexible method called collective osmotic shock (COS) for creating porous structures.
The study, by scientists at the University of Cambridge, has shown how, by using osmotic forces, even structures with minor components entirely encapsulated in a matrix can be made porous or nanoporous.
"The experiment is rather similar to the classroom demonstration using a balloon containing salty water," explains lead author Dr Easan Sivaniah from Cambridge's Cavendish Laboratory. "How does one release the salt from the balloon? The answer is to put the balloon in a bath of fresh water. The salt can't leave the balloon but the water can enter. As more water enters, the balloon swells, and eventually bursts."
Sivaniah says that the team's experiments show this works in materials with trapped minor components, leading to a series of bursts, releasing the trapped components and leaving an open porous material.
He also explains that researchers have demonstrated how nanoporous materials created by this process can be used to develop filters capable of removing very small dyes from water.
"It is currently an efficient filter system that could be used in countries with poor access to fresh potable water, or to remove heavy metals and industrial waste products from ground water sources. Though, with development, we hope it can also be used in making sea water drinkable using low-tech and low-power routes," states Sivaniah.
And he adds: "We are currently exploring a number of applications, to include use in light-emitting devices, solar cells, electrodes for supercapacitors as well as fuels cells."
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Author
Brian Tinham
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