Wonder material to absorb, store oxygen

Researchers have developed a new crystalline material that absorbs oxygen in large quantities and stores it.

The material is so effective at binding oxygen that only a spoon of it is enough to suck up all the oxygen in a room.

According to researchers from University of Southern Denmark (USD), the substance can absorb and bind oxygen in a concentration 160 times greater than the concentration in the air around us.

The stored oxygen can be released again when and where it is needed.

"Sometimes we need oxygen in higher concentrations, for example lung patients must carry heavy oxygen tanks or cars using fuel cells need a regulated oxygen supply," said Christine McKenzie, professor at department of physics, chemistry and pharmacy, USD.

The key component of the new material is the cobalt which is bound in a specially designed organic molecule.

It can absorb and release oxygen many times without losing the ability.

"It is like dipping a sponge in water, squeezing the water out of it and repeating the process over and over again," McKenzie added.

Once the oxygen has been absorbed, "you can keep it stored in the material until you want to release it," said McKenzie, adding that the oxygen can be released by gently heating the material or subjecting it to low-oxygen pressures.