Controlling Cavitation for the Activation of Small Molecules

Introduction

Sonochemistry is the use of ultrasound to facilitate chemical reactions. Chemical reactions requiring stringent conditions can be effectively carried out using sonochemistry at ambient conditions.

Current Limitations

The current state of sonochemistry is limited by the low efficiencies in converting electrical energy to cavitation energy for free radical generation. This makes the application of ultrasound for chemical synthesis an expensive technique in terms of energy per productivity.

Proposed Solution

Controlling cavitation with novel catalytic cavitation agents (CCA) to reduce energy requirements for inertial cavitation will open a new paradigm for sonochemistry. This approach has the potential to impact the catalytic chemistry, acoustic, and sonochemistry communities, while also opening opportunities to address challenges faced by chemists in sustainable chemicals synthesis.

Project Objectives

The objective of my project is to systematically progress towards a deep understanding of cavitation bubble generation through:

1. In-situ observation approaches
2. Engineering of multifunctional catalytic cavitation agents
3. Machine learning

This will exert better control on the formation, uniformity, and collapse location of cavitation bubbles, thereby significantly reducing the acoustic energy requirement for inertial cavitation.

Methodology

I will synthesize multifunctional transition metal oxides catalytic cavitation agents and investigate and optimize their structure/properties relationships in response to acoustic cavitation.

Unique Integration

This project offers a unique integration of approaches, competencies, and resources in:

• Material science (synthesis of CCAs)
• Physics (modelling)
• Chemistry (activation of small molecules)

Expected Outcomes

The iterative project focus on the most fundamental understanding of the physical mechanisms will allow for substantial progress into the complex phenomenon of sonochemistry and sonocatalysis.