Technologies Available for License

2019-009: Metal-supported Silica Nanocages for Trapping Noble Gases

Invention: 2019-009

Patent Status: Application Number US 2021/0178323 A1 was published on June 17, 2021

For technical and licensing related questions, email tcp@bnl.gov.

Summary

enlarge

Scheme: Schematic of the approach to deposit silica nanocages on the Ru film, using a Langmuir trough. The deposited cages are calcined after the deposition to remove the organic component.

Noble gases are valuable and scarce and these gases (e.g., Xenon (Xe)) used in various applications, including lighting, electronics, and anesthetics, and many others. Its low concentration in the atmosphere and the energy cost of purification makes noble gases expensive. Finding efficient ways to trap and separate it from other gases can have important implications.

Description

Brookhaven and SBU researchers have developed a novel material architecture made up of silicate nanocages in contact with a metal surface and a method for trapping single Xe atoms in these cages. The trapping is done at low Xe pressures and temperatures between 400 and 600 K, and the process is monitored in situ using synchrotron-based ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Release of the Xe from the cages occurs only when heating to temperatures above 750 K. A model that explains the experimental trapping kinetics is proposed and tested using Monte Carlo methods.

Journal Publication & Intellectual Property

• US 2021/0178323 A1 (.pdf)
• Ionization-Facilitated Formation of 2D (Alumino)Silicate Noble Gas Clathrate Compounds (.pdf)
• Xenon Trapping in Metal-Supported Silica Nanocages (.pdf)