Breaking up H2O: Controlling molecular vibrations to produce H2 Converting methane into hydrogen is crucial for clean energy and agriculture. This reaction requires water and a catalyst. Scientists have now used a novel laser approach to control specific vibrations of a water molecule, which can affect the efficiency of the reaction. >>The data showed that the degree of stretching vibrations between the H and O atoms in a H2O molecule determines its ability to dissociate react on the catalyst. This happens because the laser adds energy to the water molecules, increasing vibrations to the point where they break up on the catalysts surface >>This point is called a transition state, where the water molecules are ready to react. Ideally, we want to deform the molecules before the hit the surface, in a way that we have biased the structure towards the transition state, says Beck. This is why laser-selected vibrations are more efficient that just heating up the entire system: we are putting the energy where it needs to be to break the water molecules bonds.
Posted on: Thu, 01 May 2014 20:35:52 +0000
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