As long as you use white light, even your rusty old 28-inch bike can look brand new. Sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, right? But scientists at the University of Michigan have actually discovered that light can reverse the oxidation of nano-sized copper particles. This breakthrough not only opens up exciting possibilities in materials science but also has real-world applications, such as improving the production of propylene oxide—a key chemical used in making plastics, cosmetics, antifreeze, and more.
“We’ve uncovered a new physical phenomenon with significant potential,†said Suljo Linic, an assistant professor of chemical engineering at the university. Their findings were recently published in the journal *Science*. The research shows that by using light, it’s possible to keep copper in its metallic state, which is crucial for catalyzing certain chemical reactions.
Propylene oxide is a vital chemical, with annual demand in the U.S. reaching 2.4 million tons and a market value of $4.9 billion. However, producing it traditionally involves complex processes that generate large amounts of waste. Current methods often result in two tons of salt per ton of propylene oxide produced. A direct reaction between oxygen and propylene would be ideal—but copper, the best candidate, tends to oxidize, losing its effectiveness as a catalyst.
“Metallic copper has a unique electronic structure that allows it to activate a more efficient pathway for this reaction,†explained Marimuthu Andiappan, the study’s lead author and a graduate student at the university. Unlike copper oxides, which tend to break down propylene into carbon dioxide or produce acrolein, metallic copper promotes the formation of propylene oxide directly.
The researchers found a way to stabilize copper by modifying its atomic structure. They created copper nanoparticles around 40 nanometers in size, mixed them with silica, and tested their performance under different lighting conditions. In the dark, only about 20% of the gas reacted into propylene oxide. But when exposed to five times the intensity of natural sunlight, the copper stayed metallic, and over 50% of the propylene was converted into the desired product.
“This is the first time we’ve seen light used to reverse metal oxidation,†Andiappan said. The light causes electrons in the copper atoms to be released, breaking the bond between copper and oxygen. This discovery could make propylene oxide production much greener and more efficient.
“In theory, we could enhance the light intensity using mirrors to boost the reaction further,†he added. While the research is still in its early stages, the team believes this method could revolutionize chemical reactions that are currently difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional techniques.
Linic concluded, “We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible with light-driven chemistry.â€
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