The toxic and expensive phosphors used widely in fluorescent lighting could be eliminated thanks to a new study conducted by a materials scientist at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).
Writing in the journal Nature Materials, the international group of scientists modified a mineral called zeolite, more commonly found in washing powder, to incorporate tiny clusters of silver atoms.
At this very small scale (less than 10 atoms), the silver clusters act very differently and can even emit light.
Lead author Dr Oliver Fenwick from QMUL’s School of Engineering and Materials Science, said: “We’ve shown that silver atoms can be assembled in the porous framework of minerals known as zeolites with a level of control not reported previously. This has allowed us to tailor very precisely the properties of the silver clusters to meet our needs – in this case an efficient phosphor.
“The high efficiency of the materials along with cheap, scalable synthesis makes them very attractive as next generation emitters for fluorescent lamps, LEDs and for biological imaging, for example for highlighting tumours or cell division.”
Zeolites are porous minerals that can be found naturally or produced synthetically on an industrial scale. They are rigid and have a well-defined framework made of molecular-scale channels and cavities.
The researchers from Université de Strasbourg in France, where Dr Fenwick was based when carrying out the study, and KU Leuven in Belgium manipulated the characteristics of the zeolite pores to fine-tune the properties of the clusters of silver. By tailoring of the zeolite host, they demonstrated luminescence efficiencies close to 100 per cent.
Learn more: Scientists use silver to make lights shine brightly
The Latest on: Zeolite
[google_news title=”” keyword=”zeolite” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Zeolite
- 42 Zeolite Place, Eagle Vale NSW 2558on April 23, 2024 at 12:45 am
"Contemporary Comfort Awaits: Discover Your Family Haven at 42 Zeolite Place, Eagle Vale!" Welcome to your dream home! Nestled in the charming community of Eagle Vale, this stunning two-storey ...
- Intl Zeolite: Top 10 Undervalued Chemicals Industry Stocks (IZ)on April 21, 2024 at 12:24 pm
Detailed price information for International Zeolite Corp (IZ-X) from The Globe and Mail including charting and trades.
- Sarah Jessica Parker calls this Serge Normant volumizing spray 'a must' for giving hair 'more body' — and it's down to $20on April 19, 2024 at 12:17 pm
Use it instead of dry shampoo or hairspray,' says the actress of the product, also loved by Meghan Markle and Brooke Shields.
- The Planet Crafter: Best Starting Locationson April 19, 2024 at 5:15 am
Just starting off in The Planet Crafter? These locations are some of the best for early-game. Here's what their pros and cons are as well.
- Advanced nuclear magnetic resonance technique reveals precise structural, dynamical details in zeoliteson April 17, 2024 at 7:24 am
Zeolites are widely used in many industries, yet their intrinsic catalytic nature is not completely understood, due to the complexity of the hydroxyl-aluminum moieties.
- How to escape from wrecks in The Planet Crafteron April 16, 2024 at 1:31 pm
The generated wrecks all across the world in The Planet Crafter are wonderful for loot but notoriously hard to escape from. As you make your way deeper and deeper into the labyrinth, it can be all too ...
- New catalyst allows energy-friendly ammonia production for fertilizers and alternative fuelon April 15, 2024 at 9:13 am
Researchers led by Satoshi Kamiguchi at the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) in Japan have discovered a greener way to produce ammonia, an essential compound used in fertilizers.
- Best base locations in The Planet Crafteron April 15, 2024 at 12:59 am
Your base in The Planet Crafter will first be the pod you landed on the planet, but you will need to find a new home at some point. Even though Sand Falls doesn’t sound like the best location for your ...
- Liquid metals research breaks ground in sustainable chemical manufacturing with metal-enhanced catalystson April 3, 2024 at 8:16 am
The research is published in the journal Nature Communications. Traditionally, the MTH process has relied on zeolite catalysts. While effective, these catalysts suffer from rapid deactivation caused ...
- Ammonia induction strategy for preparation of transition metal oxides / zeolite H₂S adsorbenton March 19, 2024 at 2:42 pm
Compared with other desulfurization materials, zeolite-based adsorbents represent a viable option with low costs and long service life. However, the sulfur capacity of zeolite is relatively low ...
via Bing News