Work

Micellization of Organic Conjugated Polymers toward Functional Nanomaterials for Photocatalytic Applications

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Organic conjugated polymers (CPs) with an extended π-conjugated backbone exhibiting unique photophysical and chemical properties (e.g., good chemical stability, tunable light absorption, superior charge mobility, etc.) have been developed as promising photosensitizers for wide photocatalytic applications. Most of the reviews concerning CPs for photocatalytic applications focus on the structural design of CPs to achieve unique photophysical properties including broad absorption spectrum, high molar absorption coefficient, and low photobleaching. Construction of CPs into porous topological structures provides rich active sites. Moreover, the crystallinity of CPs facilitates photoinduced exciton transport across the polymeric backbone. However, the inherent hydrophobic character of these CPs exhibits low solubility in aqueous conditions, resulting in the existence of photoinduced exciton recombination, which would limit their photocatalytic applications. Micellization of CPs with hydrophilic functional groups via covalent/noncovalent interactions to construct the conjugated polymeric nanomaterials (CPNs) with improved surface wettability is an efficient approach to the construction of high-performance photocatalysts, resulting in their high dispersion stability in an aqueous solution and enhanced electron transfer from the photocatalyst to the reactant by decreasing their interfacial free energy. In this perspective, we provide a critical overview of the recent progress on the design and synthesis of the CPNs, focusing particularly on the relationship between the morphology and size of CPNs and their optoelectronic properties. Moreover, their photocatalytic applications including organic pollutant degradation, photoinduced chemical reactions, hydrogen evolution, CO 2 fixation, and medical therapy are discussed systematically. The current challenges and perspectives of CPNs for photocatalytic applications are also highlighted.

Source: Chem & Bio Engineering

DOI: 10.1021/cbe.5c00079

Authors: Feng Qiu, Ke Huang, Peng Tao, Sheng Han, Wai-Yeung Wong

Institutions: Shanghai Institute of Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Research Grants Council, University Grants Committee, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Awards: G1838175600, G2463383203, G627093051