The sonochemical is a branch of science (specifically a branch of chemistry . was discovered by Alfred Loomis in
1927. At first he was not given its due importance, until in the late 1980
generators were first used high intensity ultrasound and could be experienced more clearly these reactions. According to the principles of the sonochemical, when ultrasound waves
acting on a liquid it generated thousands of small burbujasn the interior of which is disturbed pressure and temperature. In fact, the temperature of the edges of these bubbles can reach thousands of degrees . The few millionths of a second it takes the "life" of these bubbles are sufficient to produce within it a multitude of chemical reactions, and may even change radically chemical structure of the liquid. even been proven that these ultrasound also have an effect on solid materials, especially metalsas copper , although these effects are obviously much less noticeable than in liquids and usually can not distinguished with the naked eye.
Applications Potential applications of sonochemical are endless. Examples include some of them:
One of the most useful is perhaps thesynthesis of new
- chemicals. For example, the U.S. sonochemical
- Ken Suslick has been obtained hydrocarbons from a compound of iron pentacarbonyl by applying sonochemical techniques. such techniques can also increase the reactivity
- catalysts and reagents
- . They can also be used for activation of metals such as lithium , the magnesium the zinc or copper . Another interesting application is its use in analytical as from sonochemical techniques applied to certain materials may occur chemiluminescence
- phenomena, emitting light radiation that can be used as a means of analysis.
- Another more practical use is Sonochemical waste and sewage. Likewise also uses ultrasound to control pollution
- air or surface cleaning. Lately there have been other applications such as obtaining
- biodiesel or even hydrogen separation of some compounds. By the " sonopolimerización " free radicals may occur
- and increase speeds and
- emulsion suspension of certain polymers. Another more practical uses is extended welding of certain materials, which can be performed using ultrasound, among many other techniques.
- should also be mentioned the so-called " sonochemical leaching" technique to extract
- metals from ores
- as galena the crocoite or arsenolite , using ultrasound. The sonochemical also be applied in medicine , because at one point focused ultrasound can destroy cancer cells
- , and also remove
- clots and treat muscular tension .