Energy Environmental Sciences and Materials

Researchers at Illinois have developed new catalytic systems to perform FROMP. Large-scale, energy efficient industrial polymerization syntheses are accessed with FROMP. So far, 2nd generation Grubbs catalyst has been extensively used for FROMP. Exploring new catalyst formulations resulted in polymers with varied mechanical properties and affected the polymerization process. These new formulations expand on previously developed synthesis to offer greater flexibility, tunability, and control of end products and the manufacturing process.

Researchers at the University have created a system of UV disinfection using visible light lasers. The COVID-19 pandemic has vastly increased the need and urgency for effective and safe sanitation of large spaces including hospitals, public transportation, and meeting spaces. This fiber optic system tracks existing internal wiring and emits light via diodes that distribute ultraviolet light throughout a space to maximize disinfection. The UV light is emitted at a wavelength of less than 222 nm, making it safe for human contact. There are no lamps or filters required.

Professor Xiao Su and colleagues have developed an electrochemical system for the separation and reutilization of homogenous catalysts including Pt and Pd-cross coupling catalysts and many other noble metal homogenous catalysts. This catalyst recycling system allows for the direct capture of a homogenous catalysts from a reaction mixture, the captured catalyst can then be desorbed into a new reaction mixture. Notably, this catalyst capture and release system operates without chemically altering the catalyst species thus this system maintains the original catalyst activity. This electrochemical system utilizes redox polymer electrodes allowing for the >99% catalyst adsorption within a 5-minute period. The adsorption properties of this system can be easily adjusted by modifying the applied current and electrode dimensions. Furthermore, >99% of the catalyst adsorbed can be released from the redox electrodes resulting in a highly efficient catalyst recycling system.

Kyle Smith has improved current flow channel designs by integrating the flow channel inside of the electrode. This enables his design to improve current electrode performance by a factor of 1000. Furthermore, Dr. Smith has improved the shape and arrangement of his flow channels by arranging them in a hierarchical fashion and creating a cube-root shape. This results in an optimized and improved flow channel that makes the electrodes much more permeable than current designs. Effectively, these electrodes can now have a flow with very low amounts of pressure required.