Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ARC-for-CORE (Artificial Compartment for Coenzyme Regeneration)
Reporting period: 2019-03-18 to 2021-03-17
We realised o-w, w-o, o-w-o and w-w emulsions by using home-made microfluidic devices. Time-lapse fluorescence imaging of droplets can track the change of PL intensity which parallelises the period for diffusion-limited mass transfer of intermediate phase or formation of pseudophase. Therefore, the interfacial immobilisation kinetics were obtained and modelled by Michaelis–Menten kinetics. We conclude that the interfacial energy is still playing the major role for the interfacial immoblisation of 2D flakes. In addition, the investigation of emulsion stability were examined intensively by using phase diagraph. As compared with other candidates, monolayers led to a compositional range for stable emulsion that extend to the region containing NMP less than 5%. The above results support our anticipation that monolayer-rich flakes can be interface trapped because of their low affinity to the polar phase and high atomic efficiency.
Electrochemical reactions involving NAD(P)H as alternative to the SECM were performed. We designed the porous structure with 2D materials as building blocks. The low overpotential of defective MoS2 in hydrolysis encouraged us introduce 2D materials as both supporter and mediator for the coenzyme regenerations. The porous film served as a working electrode. The kinetics were detected by a rotary disk electrode. The progress of the NAD+ reduction reaction was monitored by UV-Vis spectrophotometry.
As an overview of the result, we have explored the interfacial behaviour of 2D materials. The effort to exploit 2D materials as “Arc” for the “Core” (biological reactions) generated pioneering experience in optimising the size and thickness of 2D materials by using genetic algorithm. The stability of emulsion has been deeply investigated more through the thermodynamics. The fellow, therefore, further enhance the skills that will help further success in the field of colloids and interfaces. Although the planed collaboration and secondment cannot be realised due to the covid crisis, the fellow had some more chances to develop other critical complementary skills, such as computation and microfluidics. The results of the fellowship also pave a way for 2D surfactant, which will be a brand-new family of surfactant impacting widely on the industry and society.