Innovative catalyst integration on transparent silicone microreactors for photocatalytic applications

Reproducible and controllable incorporation and immobilization of catalysts and other active particles onto silicone microreactor channels is still challenging. In this work, we present an innovative fabrication protocol to attain affordable, custom-designed photocatalytic microreactors in a fast an...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Pellejero, Ismael, Clemente, Alberto, Navajas León, Alberto, Vesperinas Oroz, José Javier, Urbiztondo, Miguel A., Gandía Pascual, Luis
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universidad Pública de Navarra
Repositorio:Academica-e. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Pública de Navarra
OAI Identifier:oai:academica-e.unavarra.es:2454/42495
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2454/42495
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:3D printing
Silicone microreactors
Photocatalysis
Au nanoparticles
Polyoxometalates
Descripción
Sumario:Reproducible and controllable incorporation and immobilization of catalysts and other active particles onto silicone microreactor channels is still challenging. In this work, we present an innovative fabrication protocol to attain affordable, custom-designed photocatalytic microreactors in a fast and simple manner. In this protocol, a 3D-printed ABS microreactor mold is first dip-coated with the photocatalyst, and subsequently, the catalytic layer is transferred onto the microchannel walls by indirect immobilization during the silicone casting and scaffold removal step. Serpentine-shaped microreactors have been satisfactorily fabricated with Au@POM-impregnated TiO2 nanoparticles (Au@POM/TiO2; Au 0.18 % w/w, POM: H3PW12O40) as the integrated photocatalytic layer. The suitability of our fabrication method has been validated on the basis of the excellent photocatalytic performance shown by the microreactors in a model test reaction such as the continuous-flow photoreduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol with NaBH4 and monitored by UV-Vis spectroscopy.