Chemists have found a new use for nuclear waste

Scientists have moved to use nuclear waste in catalysts to create valuable chemicals and fuels.

A byproduct of the nuclear work processThe reactor is depleted uranium. These wastes are not disposed of, but since they are hazardous to health, they are usually stored in special isolated rooms or used for the production of armor-piercing missiles.

Recently, a team of chemists from the University of Sussex discovered that depleted uranium may have other beneficial uses.

During the study they created a catalyst containing nuclear waste withthrough which scientists were able to convert ethylene to ethane. Collaborating with colleagues from the University of Toulouse and the Humboldt University of Berlin, scientists have found that an organometallic molecule based on depleted uranium promotes the attachment of hydrogen atoms to a double carbon bond in ethylene to create ethane.

The conversion of alkenes to alkanes is importantchemical reaction, because it allows you to get valuable substances from simple substances, such as hydrogenated oils and petrochemical products, which can be used as an energy source.

Recall that recently chemists also found a cheaper way to produce hydrogen.