Photocatalytic polymer group research vision
Our research direction is hypothesis-oriented, answering questions in heterogeneous photoredox catalysis. We do this by designing photocatalytic materials for specific applications and/or to answer fundamental questions. For example, we have investigated the effect of the microenvironment around a photocatalytic center in vinyl photocatalytic polymers.[1,2] We have also investigated how particle size affects photocatalytic performance in conjugated porous nanoparticles. [3,4] Additionally, we have developed responsive photocatalysts, where material recovery can be triggered using external stimuli (pH, temperature, magnetic field, etc.). [5,6,7]
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Our current research investigates the following research questions:
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Can we induce selectivity in photocatalytic cross-coupling reactions by using a macromolecular photocatalyst?
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Does the morphology of photocatalytic materials affect hole/electron recombination rate?
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What happens if we create multicomponent heterogeneous polymer photocatalysts? Do we change reaction mechanisms?
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Can photocatalysts be developed that synergistically interact with biological species to produce high-value compounds more sustainably?
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These and other questions are answered using the two material classes outlined below.​
Photocatalytic Vinyl-Polymers
In the Ferguson Photocatalytic Polymer group, we have pioneered the modification of small-molecule photocatalysts with polymerisable groups to enable their incorporation into polymers, thereby creating macromolecular photocatalysts.[8] Incorporating photocatalysts into polymers enhances their performance by increasing photostability, recoverability, and longevity. Moreover, favourable non-covalent interactions between the polymer and substrates can be utilised to enhance photocatalytic rates.[9,10]
Photocatalytic Conjugated Polymers
Small molecules have led the way in photocatalytic organic synthesis, but heterogeneous alternatives have significant benefits. Photocatalytic conjugated polymers are synthesised from a library of electron-donor and electron-acceptor monomers and feature an extended π-system. This extended conjugated system facilitates charge mobility across the polymer chain (nm range), extending their lifetime compared to small-molecule alternatives.