Classical Polymers as Highly Tunable and Designable Heterogeneous Photocatalysts

Abstract

Photocatalysis has emerged as a powerful synthetic tool to facilitate redox reactions with the target of creating stable and tunable photocatalytic materials. A class of recyclable photocatalytic materials has emerged through the combination of classical polymers with photocatalytic small molecules. Classical polymers are inexpensive and easy to produce. They can be used to create cheap, easily recyclable, and reusable materials. Moreover, these materials can be imparted with a broad range of functionality and physical features, allowing the materials properties to be easily tuned according to the application requirements. The inclusion of a photocatalytic moiety enables the material to be used for a vast number of visible-light-mediated photoredox reactions. A broad range of different classical polymer architectures have been reported over the last few decades. In this Review, we will summarize the recent development of this emerging class of metal-free and heterogeneous photocatalytic platform. We will particularly discuss the inclusion of photoactive components into different polymer structures by paying attention to the synthesis route, material properties, and photoactivity of the polymeric materials produced.

Photocatalytic Hydrogels with a High Transmission Polymer Network for Pollutant Remediation

“…This combination produces a new hybrid material class of photocatalytically active polymers. 53 Here, we have designed photocatalytic hydrogels, where only the photocatalytic moieties absorb visible light, as illustrated in Scheme 1. The copolymerization of photocatalytic small molecules with classical monomers produces highly efficient photocatalytic gels.…”

“…Recently, our group has described the synthesis of a new class of photocatalytic classical polymers. − The copolymerization of photocatalytic small molecules, modified with vinyl functionality, and classical monomers, combines the versatility of classical polymers with photocatalytic activity. This combination produces a new hybrid material class of photocatalytically active polymers …”

Photocatalytic polymer nanomaterials for the production of high value compounds

“…Classical polymer photocatalysts have recently emerged as an alternative to conjugated photocatalytic systems. 5 Here, a small molecular photocatalyst is modified so that it can be incorporated into a classical polymer. This incorporation can be during the polymerisation of the polymer, or as a post-polymerisation modification.…”

“…3,4 Furthermore, the incorporation of small molecule photocatalysts into classical polymers has recently been reported as new heterogeneous photocatalytic systems. 5…”

Water-Compatible Poly(methyl methacrylate) Networks for Visible Light-Driven Photocatalytic Pollutant Remediation in Aqueous Medium

“…7 Their advantages include precise control of conjugation lengths, cost-effectiveness, chemical robustness, and variability of properties through facile synthesis and direct access to the toolbox of classical polymer chemistry. 8,9 A few studies undertaken to date showed their promising potentials in synthesis and photocatalytic applications but barely included systematic investigations of structure−property relationships. 10−12 In particular, the effect of monomer composition remains unclear.…”