Optimization of Eosin Y Polymer Brush Functionalized Glass Surfaces in Heterogeneous Photoredox Catalysis
Open Access
Author:
Wolford, Adam
Area of Honors:
Chemical Engineering
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Christian W. Pester, Thesis Supervisor Michael John Janik, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Eosin Y Photocatalyst Heterogeneous Reaction Polymer Brush
Abstract:
Photocatalysis is a versatile field with its ability to catalyze chemical transformations at ambient temperatures and pressures with spatiotemporal control over kinetics. Homogeneous reaction systems using photocatalysts in solution require complex separation techniques to attempt to purify the reaction products from the catalyst. This leads to potential catalyst contamination, which can discolor or degrade products and result in decrease of product efficiency. Heterogeneous reaction systems have numerous benefits over their counterparts, as separation techniques can be used to purify the products and easily recover the photocatalysts, permitting their use in consecutive reactions. This work successfully synthesizes a heterogeneous photocatalyst system through functionalizing micron-scale glass beads with photocatalytic polymer brushes. Characteristics of the polymer brush, including co-monomer and photocatalyst incorporation, are varied to optimize the recyclability of the Eosin Y catalyst and conversion of a small molecule organic transformation. Synthesis of the heterogeneous platform and catalysis of a small molecule transformation are successful but little recyclability is observed due to photobleaching of Eosin Y.
