Glove box is a key equipment used in scientific research and industrial laboratories to create waterless and oxygen free environments, widely used in fields such as battery manufacturing, semiconductor processing, and special material synthesis. In these applications, the oxygen content inside the glove box must be strictly controlled at an extremely low level to prevent oxidation or other adverse reactions to sensitive materials. Copper catalyst is a commonly used deoxygenation material in glove box purification columns, and its high efficiency and reliability make it an ideal choice for deoxygenation.
The role of copper catalyst：
The main function of copper catalyst is to remove oxygen inside the glove box. During the operation of the glove box, the oxygen content of the gas inside the glove box can affect the stability of the internal environment. Copper catalyst converts oxygen into other forms through chemical reactions, thereby maintaining an oxygen free state inside the glove box.
The principle of copper catalyst deoxygenation：
Reduction effect of copper catalyst:
Copper catalysts typically exist in the form of copper nanoparticles, with highly active sites on their surface that can promote the reduction of oxygen molecules. During this process, oxygen molecules come into contact with copper nanoparticles, and through electron transfer, the oxygen atoms in the oxygen molecules are reduced to copper oxide. In this reaction, copper atoms lose electrons, while oxygen molecules gain electrons, forming copper oxide. This electron transfer process is crucial for the catalytic activity of copper catalysts, as it enables the effective removal of oxygen molecules from the gas.
Active sites on the surface of copper nanoparticles:
The surface active sites of copper nanoparticles are crucial for the reduction reaction of oxygen molecules. These sites may be caused by defects on the surface of copper nanoparticles, grain boundaries, or atomic arrangements on specific crystal planes. These active sites provide a low-energy pathway, making it easier for oxygen molecules to interact with copper atoms. The density and distribution of active sites have a significant impact on the catalytic efficiency of copper catalysts.
Adsorption process of oxygen molecules:
The adsorption process of copper catalyst for deoxygenation is a combination of physical adsorption and chemical adsorption. Physical adsorption mainly involves van der Waals forces between molecules, while chemical adsorption involves the formation of chemical bonds between molecules and the catalyst surface. When oxygen molecules approach the surface of copper nanoparticles, they will be adsorbed on the active sites due to van der Waals forces and chemical bonds. This process is reversible, and oxygen molecules can desorb from the surface under certain conditions.
Formation of copper oxide and regeneration of copper catalyst:
After the reduction reaction of oxygen, copper oxide will form on the surface of copper nanoparticles. Over time, these copper oxides may aggregate into larger particles, which are then reduced back to copper in the reaction with hydrogen during glove box regeneration, allowing the copper catalyst to be reused repeatedly.
Copper catalyst has a high degree of specificity towards oxygen and does not react with other gases, ensuring the purity of the internal environment of the glove box and being stable at room temperature without dangerous reactions with other chemicals.
The above characteristics make copper catalyst an indispensable deoxygenation material in the glove box purification column. Through the action of copper catalyst, the glove box can maintain the required anaerobic environment, ensuring the safe handling of sensitive materials and the accuracy of experiments. With the development of technology, the application of copper catalysts may further expand, providing support for more fields.
