Synthesis of substances that can absorb, hold, and release oxygen

In the future we may not need oxygen when we go diving, but just a mask is enough. This is thanks to a new material that can absorb, store and release large amounts of oxygen that has been developed by Danish scientists.

According to the researchers from the University of Southern Denmark: "We still live well with 21% of oxygen in the air around us. However, sometimes we need more concentrated oxygen; As patients with lung disease always need oxygen cylinders, fuel cell vehicles need oxygen supply systems that provide continuous . " Professor Christine McKenzie said: " In the laboratory, we have seen things. How does this substance absorb oxygen from the surrounding air? "

New matter is in crystal form and by X-ray diffraction, the team studied the atomic order of matter as it absorbs and releases oxygen. They argue that the important aspect of matter is that it does not react reversibly with oxygen although it can absorb oxygen through chemical adsorption processes. Matter has both served as a sensor and a storage unit. They can use the material to bind, store and transport oxygen like an artificial hemoglobin (hemoglobin).

A 10-liter container contains this material enough to absorb all the oxygen in a room and the interesting thing is that matter can absorb and release oxygen many times without losing its ability. Like a sponge when dipped in water, it draws water into it and when squeezed it releases water, repeatedly. Once the oxygen has been absorbed, the material can hold oxygen until it is released by gently heating or bringing the material to a low-pressure oxygen environment.

Because of this mechanism, Christine McKenzie said: "We see the oxygen-released material when heated and the same result when introduced into a vacuum. We wonder whether light can activate the solution. whether to release oxygen or not, this will open the perspective of artificial optics ".

The main component of the material is Cobalt (Co) which is bound in a special organic molecular form. Cobalt brings precise electronic and molecular structure to the material, allowing it to absorb oxygen from the environment. This mechanism is known from all living organisms that use oxygen on Earth. Humans and many other species use iron while some animals like crabs and spiders use copper at low levels to absorb oxygen.

Depending on the atmospheric oxygen content, temperature, pressure, matter can take several seconds, minutes, hours or days to absorb oxygen. Different versions of matter can bind oxygen at different speeds. With typical performance between physical versions, the researchers believe that they can create devices to absorb and / or release oxygen in many different situations. For example, a mask containing this material can actively provide continuous oxygen to a person directly from the air without the need for pumps or high-pressure oxygen equipment.

Christine said: "When saturated oxygen, it can be compared to an oxygen tank containing pure oxygen under pressure. The difference is that matter can keep oxygen more than three times. Lung disease will benefit from this material because they may not need heavy oxygen cylinders to carry with them all the time. A mask containing this material is needed to filter and concentrate oxygen from the water or the surrounding air.A few small particles provide enough oxygen for one breath and thanks to the ability to absorb oxygen from water, only a few Seeds are enough to provide oxygen to the diver ".