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Heterophase Photocatalysts from Water‐Soluble Conjugated Polyelectrolytes: An Example of Self‐Initiation under Visible Light
Author(s) -
Ghasimi Saman,
Prescher Simon,
Wang Zi Jun,
Landfester Katharina,
Yuan Jiayin,
Zhang Kai A. I.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201505325
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , visible spectrum , polymer , aqueous solution , conjugated system , materials science , nanoparticle , bromide , chemical engineering , polyelectrolyte , alkyl , photochemistry , ionic bonding , polymer chemistry , chemistry , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , catalysis , engineering , composite material , ion , optoelectronics
We herein report a new design route to stable, heterophase photocatalysts, which function as highly dispersible conjugated polymer nanoparticles and porous monoliths under visible light in aqueous medium. They were constructed by attachment of the ionic‐liquid species 1‐alkyl‐3‐vinylimidazolium bromide onto the side chains of a photoactive polymer. The structure configuration allows not only photocatalysis in aqueous environment but also a unique self‐initiation radical cross‐linking process to transform the water‐soluble photoactive polymer into a heterophase system, either as nanoparticles or a porous monolith. High photocatalytic activity and reusability of the heterophase system were demonstrated in the degradation of organic dyes and reduction of Cr VI into Cr III in water under visible‐light irradiation.