For instance, if we want to retrofit a power plant with carbon capture technology, one option would be installing a liquid circulation system, filled with a solution that slurps up carbon. These permanent pores are the result of a creatively shaped molecule that leaves space within the liquid, and this allowed researchers to dissolve an uncharacteristically large amount of gas into the liquid.

The new porous liquid was developed as part of a three-year research project involving scientists from Queen's, the University of Liverpool and universities in France, Germany and Argentina.

Professor Stuart James from Queen's University school of chemistry and chemical engineering, in Belfast, explains why. Useful as both catalysts and molecular separators, porous solids have seen their way into a variety of industrial applications, including plastics and petrol manufacturing.

The scientists have developed a new liquid that is "porous"-it's able to absorb a huge amount of gas into the "pores" found throughout the liquid".

It's hoped it could lead to major developments in the efficiency of chemical processes, making them greener and aiding the procedure known as carbon capture, where carbon dioxide is trapped and stored.

"These first experiments are what is needed to understand this new type of material, and the results point to interesting long-term applications which rely on dissolution of gases", Prof. The researchers' new liquid can dissolve large amounts of gas, as they are absorbed by the "holes" in the liquid. "These remarkable properties suggest interesting applications in the long term".

Take that a step further with regards to what scientists at Queens University of Belfast have created, we could be looking at a liquid with space to soak up greenhouse gases or other forms of pollution.

The study was mainly funded by the Leverhulme Trust and the Engineering Physical Science Research Council.

Citation: "Liquids with permanent porosity", Nicola Giri, Mario G. Del Pópolo, Margarida F. Costa Gomes, Gavin Melaugh, Laure Pison, Rebecca L. Greenaway, Klaus Rätzke, Tönjes Koschine, Andrew I. Cooper & Stuart L. James.

This is a supplementary video from the study carried out by Prof.



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