During the research of the ERC-funded project UNBICAT (ERC-CG, contract number 647550), the Principal Investigator, and his research group have developed new photocatalysts and their application in different organic transformations. A recent development of the project has been the preparation of new photocatalysts and their immobilization onto different materials, making them heterogeneous catalysts. These heterogeneous photocatalysts are able to produce chemicals and products of interest to the chemical industry.
Specifically, in this Proof of Concept we have focused on the use of 3D printers, and the use for the production of cartridges of different nature, using PET, ABS, PET materials among others, and we have anchored different catalysts. These anchored catalysts correspond from a metallic nature, such as palladium catalysts to carry out different coupling reactions such as the Suzuki reaction. In addition, we have also developed the use of photocatalysts, to carry out photochemical reactions. So far, we have achieved the design of different reactors, with channels of different size that allow reactions to be carried out in the cartridge. Conversions and yields so far are moderate, and further development is required in order to improve these results, which turn out to be very promising. Therefore, the results obtained are the starting point for a more ambitious further development, where we are currently collaborating with some industries in our environment for the progress of this product.
