Daily Current Affairs : 25-July-2023
Fluorine, a highly reactive element, plays a vital role in the production of various chemical compounds used in industry and research. It is a key component in the creation of fluorochemicals, which have widespread applications in manufacturing plastics, agrochemicals, lithium-ion batteries, and pharmaceuticals. However, the traditional process of obtaining fluorine from calcium fluoride, or fluorspar, involves hazardous and energy-intensive steps, making it less than ideal for both human safety and environmental concerns.
The Conventional Fluorine Extraction Process
The source of fluorine, fluorspar, is mined and subjected to high-temperature treatment with sulphuric acid to release hydrogen fluoride (HF). HF is then utilized to produce various fluorochemicals. Despite stringent safety measures, the use of HF presents significant challenges due to its extreme toxicity and corrosiveness. HF spills have occurred in the past, leading to fatal accidents and harmful environmental impacts.
The Recent Breakthrough: A Safer and Energy-Efficient Solution
Scientists from the University of Oxford have recently made a groundbreaking discovery that offers a safer and more energy-efficient method to obtain fluorine atoms. Drawing inspiration from the natural process of calcium phosphate bio-mineralization, which forms bones and teeth in the human body, the researchers found a way to create a compound called Fluoromix without involving HF.
- Inspiration from Nature: Calcium Phosphate Bio-mineralization
The researchers mimicked the process of bone and teeth formation in the human body, where calcium atoms prefer to bond with phosphorus. They utilized this principle to create a new compound by grinding fluorspar with potassium phosphate in a ball-mill.
- The Birth of Fluoromix
The grinding process led to the formation of calcium phosphate along with another compound containing fluorine atoms, which the researchers named Fluoromix. This innovative compound proved to be a significant breakthrough in the quest for safer fluorine extraction.
- Eco-friendly and High-yielding Process
Fluoromix demonstrated remarkable potential as it could be reacted with organic compounds to produce approximately 50 fluorochemicals with yields of up to 98%. This environmentally friendly and high-yielding process circumvents the need for hazardous HF and offers a streamlined supply chain for fluorochemicals.
Implications and Future Research
The recent breakthrough by the Oxford scientists holds immense promise for the chemical industry and various research fields. By eliminating the use of HF, the new extraction process ensures safer working conditions for industry workers and mitigates the risk of harmful environmental incidents. However, further research is required to fully realize the potential of this method.
- Scaling Up Production
The researchers plan to scale up the production of Fluoromix to an industrial level to assess its practical viability for large-scale applications. Understanding how the process performs under real-world conditions will be crucial for its successful implementation.
- Evaluating Cost-effectiveness
As with any new technology, cost-effectiveness is a significant consideration. The research group aims to evaluate the economic feasibility of producing Fluoromix and compare it with the traditional HF-based extraction method.
Entrepreneurial Endeavors: Fluorok
Two members of the research group have taken their innovation a step further by co-founding a start-up called Fluorok in 2022. The company’s primary focus is to leverage the novel extraction method to offer cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective access to fluorochemicals.
Important Points:
- Scientists from the University of Oxford discovered a new, safer, and less energy-intensive method to obtain fluorine atoms.
- Fluorine is crucial for manufacturing various chemical compounds used in industry and research, such as plastics, agrochemicals, lithium-ion batteries, and drugs.
- The conventional method involves using hazardous and toxic hydrogen fluoride (HF) obtained from fluorspar, which poses significant safety and environmental risks.
- The Oxford researchers took inspiration from calcium phosphate bio-mineralization in the human body to create a new compound called Fluoromix.
- Fluoromix, created by grinding fluorspar with potassium phosphate, can produce up to 50 fluorochemicals with yields of up to 98% when reacted with organic compounds.
- The new process eliminates the need for HF and shortens the fluorochemicals supply chain, making it more environmentally friendly and efficient.
- Future research includes scaling up Fluoromix production and assessing its cost-effectiveness for industrial applications.
- Two researchers from the group founded a start-up called Fluorok, which aims to provide cleaner, safer, and cost-effective access to fluorochemicals.
Why In News
Scientists from the University of Oxford have revolutionized the acquisition of fluorine atoms, unveiling a groundbreaking method that not only enhances safety but also dramatically reduces energy consumption. This groundbreaking innovation promises to accelerate advancements in various fields, from pharmaceuticals to materials science, where fluorine plays a pivotal role.
MCQs about Safer and Energy-Efficient Fluorine Extraction
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What did scientists from the University of Oxford discover?
A. A new way to produce hydrogen fluoride (HF) from calcium fluoride
B. A safer and less energy-intensive method to obtain fluorine atoms
C. A process to extract fluorine from potassium phosphate
D. A method to produce calcium phosphate bio-mineralization
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What role does fluorine play in the chemical industry and research?
A. It is used to create calcium phosphate bio-mineralization
B. It is a highly reactive element used to manufacture plastics and agrochemicals
C. It is a corrosive liquid that causes eye and respiratory irritation
D. It is a byproduct of lithium-ion battery production
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What is the major downside of the conventional fluorine extraction process?
A. The requirement for special transportation and storage of HF
B. The need to mine potassium phosphate to react with fluorspar
C. The release of harmful fluoromix during the process
D. The production of an extremely poisonous and corrosive liquid – hydrogen fluoride (HF)
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What is the primary advantage of Fluoromix over HF-based extraction?
A. It can produce up to 50 fluorochemicals with higher yields
B. It requires less energy for the extraction process
C. It is a natural compound found in the human body
D. It is safer for transportation and storage
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