Chemicals
Based Technologies - Benzene-Silica Material
Introduction
Scientists from Tohoku University,
Sendai and Toyota Central R&D lab, Nagakute have
created a hybrid material of benzene and silica that
has crystalline pore walls, a property that has long
been sought and that could open new doors for the development
of various products. The benzene-silica material features
uniform six-sided pores 3.8 nanometres across, similar
in shape to that of a honeycomb. This new feature could
allow the material to be used in a variety of fields,
including the development of pharmaceuticals, semiconductors
and fuel batteries. So far, scientists had not been
unable to produce the material in a uniform configuration.
To create this material, the researchers
combined benzene, commonly used as a solvent with silica,
which is used as a drying agent in confectionary and
another active material. They then filtered the substance
that precipitated from the solution to isolate the benzene-silicon
material. The end result was a material in which the
benzene is uniformly spread along the walls of silicon.
The process is simple and also economical, as it does
not require any specialized equipment.
For More Information
(Source: Science & Technology in Japan).
Science & Technology Wing
Embassy of India
2-2-11, Kudan Minami, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-0074, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3262-2391 to 97,
Fax: +81-3-3234-4866
E-mail: tandonus@hotmail.com
