Modular colloidal catalysts based on responsive microgels (microgelzymes) (C06)

• Subject Area: Preparatory and Physical Chemistry of Polymers
• Term: from 2016 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 191948804

Microgelzymes, functional microgel catalysts with controlled chemical composition, architecture, morphology, and site-specific distribution of variable catalytically active centers will be synthesized and further evolved to light sensitive microreactors to obtain an enhanced and controllable catalytic performance. The targeted incorporation of specific photoswitches and plasmonic nanoparticles together with tailored zinc complexes as catalysts for the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters will allow to control the architecture and morphology by influencing the swelling degree using light. Thereby correlations between the internal structure and the catalytic activity will allow to aim for an optimal catalytic performance.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 985: Functional Microgels and Microgel Systems
• Applicant Institution: Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Stefan Hecht, until 9/2022; Professorin Dr. Sonja Herres-Pawlis; Professor Dr. Andrij Pich; Professor Dr. Magnus Rüping, until 3/2019