DOE OSTI · 2530665
Mechanical and Light Activation of Materials for Chemical Production
Abstract
Abstract Mechanical expansion and contraction of pores within photosynthetic organisms regulate a series of processes that are necessary to manage light absorption, control gas exchange, and regulate water loss. These pores, known as stoma, allow the plant to maximize photosynthetic output depending on environmental conditions such as light intensity, humidity, and temperature by actively changing the size of the stomal opening. Despite advances in artificial photosynthetic systems, little is known about the effect of such mechanical actuation in synthetic materials where chemical reactions occur. It is reported here on a hybrid hydrogel that combines light‐activated supramolecular polymers for superoxide production with thermal mechanical actuation of a covalent polymer. Superoxide production is important in organic synthesis and environmental remediation, and is a potential precursor to hydrogen peroxide liquid fuel. It is shown that the closing of pores in the hybrid hydrogel results in a substantial decrease in photocatalysis, but cycles of swollen and contracted states enhance photocatalysis. The observations motivate the development of biomimetic photosynthetic materials that integrate large scale motion and chemical reactions.
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Đorđević, Luka [Department of Chemical Sciences University of Padova Via Marzolo 1 Padova 35131 Italy, Center for Bio‐inspired Energy Science Northwestern University 2145 Sheridan Road Evanston IL 60208 USA, Department of Chemistry Northwestern University 2145 Sheridan Road Evanston IL 60208 USA] (ORCID:0000000283467110), Jaynes, Tyler J. [Center for Bio‐inspired Energy Science Northwestern University 2145 Sheridan Road Evanston IL 60208 USA, Department of Chemistry Northwestern University 2145 Sheridan Road Evanston IL 60208 USA] (ORCID:0000000169640047), Sai, Hiroaki [Center for Regenerative Nanomedicine Northwestern University 303 E Superior Chicago IL 60611 USA] (ORCID:0000000242682148), Barbieri, Marianna [Department of Chemical Sciences University of Padova Via Marzolo 1 Padova 35131 Italy] (ORCID:0009000596720858), Kupferberg, Jacob E. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering Northwestern University 2220 Campus Drive Evanston IL 60208 USA] (ORCID:0000000274805755), Sather, Nicholas A. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering Northwestern University 2220 Campus Drive Evanston IL 60208 USA] (ORCID:0000000191351882), Weigand, Steven [DuPont‐Northwestern‐Dow Collaborative Access Team Synchrotron Research Center Northwestern University DND‐CAT Argonne IL 60439 USA] (ORCID:0000000331370672), Stupp, Samuel I. [Center for Bio‐inspired Energy Science Northwestern University 2145 Sheridan Road Evanston IL 60208 USA; Department of Chemistry Northwestern University 2145 Sheridan Road Evanston IL 60208 USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering Northwestern University 2220 Campus Drive Evanston IL 60208 USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering Northwestern University 2145 Sheridan Road Evanston IL 60208 USA; Department of Medicine Northwestern University 676 N St. Clair Street Chicago IL 60611 USA] (ORCID:0000000254917442). 2025-03-12. Mechanical and Light Activation of Materials for Chemical Production. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202418137
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