Materials and environmental applications for sonochemistry

Presented here is a study of the application of high-intensity ultrasound in the production of amorphous alloys, amorphous coatings, metallic coatings, and organic waste abatement. The results of amorphous alloy production from organometallic precursors is discussed. Amorphous FeP and FeCo were produced and the effects of cavitation on the reagents is related to the product compositions.

Amorphous coating are produced from cosonicating Fe(C0)5 with alumina. The products of these reactions are analyzed by SEM, EDX and standard BET analysis. The results are compared with crystalline iron and traditional methods of producing iron coating on alumina.

Sonochemically-induced metallic coatings studies were performed. Mixed-metal systems (Ni/Co, Al/Ni, Al/Co, Ni/Mg and Cu/Mo) were cosonicated to tribologically induce metallic coatings. The products were characterized by SEM and EDX analysis.

Ultrasound was studied as a means to remove volatile hydrocarbons at low-level concentrations from water. Aliphatic hydrocarbons (hexane to tetradecane) were sonicated in water, and their degradation rates were determined. Aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, and m-xylene) were sonicated in water and their degradation rates were determined. Correlations among hydrocarbon, vapor pressure and reaction efficiency is discussed.