Catalytic polymer reactor with “self-sorting” domains for hierarchical catalysis

Abstract

This study is aimed at the present challenge in self-controlled catalysis, about how catalysts can be furnished with hierarchical catalytic ability. This issue was addressed by constructing a unique catalytic polymer reactor containing “self-sorting” switchable domains that acted as a molecular switch for providing sequenced access to the encapsulated metal nanoparticles. This polymer reactor showed poor catalytic reactivity at relatively low temperatures due to the closed access in the switchable domains, which blocked substrate from the catalytic metal nanoparticles. This polymer reactor showed, however, significant catalytic reactivity for small molecules of substrate at modest temperatures, arising from relaxing of the access in the switchable domains, which allowed small molecules to gain entrance into the encapsulated metal nanoparticles. This polymer reactor further showed significant reactivity for large molecules of substrate at relatively high temperatures, in response to the opening at the switchable domains. In this way, this catalytic polymer reactor demonstrated a hierarchical catalytic ability. This suggested protocol opens up the opportunity to develop smart catalysts for controlled chemical processes.