Chemical-Resistant Green Luminescent Concentrator-Based Photo-Microreactor via One-Touch Assembly of 3D-Printed Modules

Abstract

© 2022 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.The direct use of the most sustainable energy, the sun, for chemical reactions is extremely attractive. This study proposes a green luminescent concentrator-based photo-microreactor (GLC-PM) assembled by flow modules that can be diversely 3D-printed using a photocurable fluoropolymer formulated with a fluorescent dye (Coumarin 6) for enhancing photochemical reactions. The inherently solvent-resistant GLC-flow modules maintain the chemical efficiency without leaching of fluorescent dyes and deposition of photocatalyst on the walls. In particular, the hexagonal GLC modules enable facile assembly into the customized PMs based on the synthesis requirements using built-in magnets for one-touch self-alignment. Moreover, the serially assembled GLC-PM was shown to enhance the photocatalytic reaction of C-C bond formation in the presence of Rose Bengal, and eventually, the GLC-PM formed by clustering serial and radial connections resulted in enhanced conversion and throughput of C-P bond formation in the presence of Eosin-Y. Therefore, the clustered GLC-PM can be considered as a viable and unique scaling strategy for the production of organic compounds, such as a photo-driven mini-plant.