Tiny Defects in Amorphous Aluminosilicates Can Speed Up Chemical Reactions

Published December 12, 2024

Schematic representation of the introduction of defects in acidic amorphous aluminosilicates.

Using high-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) at the MagLab, researchers discovered that adding atomic-level defects to a material called amorphous aluminosilicate (AAS) enhances its ability to accelerate chemical reactions. By creating oxygen atom gaps, the acidic strength of AAS is boosted, improving its effectiveness for industrial applications. This advancement may lead to more efficient, eco-friendly production of chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

What did scientists discover?

Amorphous aluminosilicates (AAS) are made of aluminum, silicon, and oxygen with disordered, glass-like atomic structures. This work explores how to create tiny "defects" in AAS to make them better at speeding up chemical reactions. By removing certain oxygen atoms through a special process, researchers developed a modified material, D-AAS-12, which proved highly effective in reactions like breaking down styrene oxide and making Vesidryl, a compound used in pharmaceuticals.

Why is this important?

This research shows that creating the right number of defects in materials can speed up chemical reactions by increasing acidity. By improving the acidity of amorphous aluminosilicates, scientists can design better catalysts for specific chemical processes. These advancements could make industrial production more efficient, reduce waste, save energy, and promote more sustainable practices.

Who did the research?

Rishi Verma,¹ Charvi Singhvi,¹ Amrit Venkatesh,² and Vivek Polshettiwar¹

¹Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), India; ²National MagLab, FSU

Why did they need the MagLab?

This work needed the MagLab because its powerful high-magnetic field solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instruments can be used to study materials at the atomic level [including the elements aluminum (Al), oxygen (O), and hydrogen(H)]. These special NMR instruments help researchers see a molecular-level view, illuminating how tiny defects in catalysts can impact their structure, acidity, and performance—valuable insights for improving their use in industry!