Liquid Metals with Atomic Intelligence to Help Curb Industrial Emissions

University of Sydney researchers propose utilising the “atomic intelligence” of liquid metals for greener, more sustainable chemical reactions, offering a solution to curb industrial emissions.

In a bid to mitigate industrial emissions, researchers at the University of Sydney have introduced an innovative approach leveraging the “atomic intelligence” of liquid metals. This new method aims to revolutionise chemical processing, making it greener and more sustainable, as detailed in their study published in Science.

Atomic intelligence in liquid metals refers to the unique properties of atoms in the liquid state that facilitate efficient and selective chemical reactions. Unlike solid metals, liquid metals exhibit greater atomic mobility, allowing for dynamic interactions and enhanced catalytic activity. They can dissolve other metals to form reactive alloys, promoting chemical reactions at lower temperatures due to their flexible atomic structure. This results in continuous renewal of active sites and improved reactivity, making liquid metals highly effective for sustainable and energy-efficient chemical processes.

Despite global strides towards renewable energy, the chemical industry remains a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 10-15% of the total. Chemical production is energy-intensive, consuming over 10% of the world’s total energy, and these figures are on the rise. The substantial energy required for chemical reactions in various manufacturing processes is a key factor behind these emissions.

Professor Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh, Head of the School of Chemical Engineering, led the research team. He emphasised the omnipresence of chemical reactions in modern life, stating, “People often forget that chemical reactions are at the heart of all we have and use; almost all modern products are created using some sort of chemical reaction. From high-grade plastics for medical implements through to ammonia for agriculture, the current process in which they are created requires significant amounts of energy, leading to growing greenhouse gas emissions.”

The team’s research highlights numerous chemical reactions that could benefit from this new approach. These include green hydrogen production, the synthesis of specialised polymers, and the decomposition of persistent substances such as microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These are areas where the application of liquid metals could significantly enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

“Using liquid metals for chemical reactions is still a very new concept; most chemical reactions still rely on decades old processes. Tapping into the ‘atomic intelligence’ of metals in liquid form to drive reactions remains largely unexplored but holds huge potential for transforming the future of chemical industries,” said Professor Kalantar-Zadeh.

The team’s novel technique, tested last year, aims to replace traditional energy-intensive processes that utilise solid catalysts—metals or compounds that induce chemical reactions. Instead, they propose using liquid metal alloys, which can dissolve catalytic metals such as tin, copper, silver, and nickel at lower temperatures. This method promotes chemical reactions with significantly reduced energy input compared to current techniques, which often require heating metals to several thousand degrees centigrade.

This innovative approach has demonstrated promising results, particularly in hydrogen production. By creating alloys from liquid metal alloys, the team has shown that it is possible to facilitate chemical reactions at much lower temperatures. This breakthrough not only offers a path to more sustainable chemical production but also has the potential to decrease the carbon footprint of numerous industries.

By transforming how chemical reactions are initiated and sustained, it opens new avenues for reducing the environmental impact of industrial processes. Hopefully other research institutes will now explore this method.

For more detailed information on the study and its findings, the full paper “The atomic intelligence of liquid metals” can be accessed here.