KES11-0869
Three-Dimensionally Continuous Polyurea Network Membrane Nanoreactors for Selective Chemo- and Biocatalysis under Confined Flow
Topic
S11. PMSE–PSK50 Anniversary Symposium: Advancing Polymer Science for a Sustainable and Intelligent Future
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
10:20 - 10:45
Room 110
Session Chairs
Tae Hee HAN
Presenter(s)
JI-Woong Park (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Three-dimensionally continuous nanoporous membranes offer a versatile nanoreactor platform, where catalyst immobilization, molecular transport, residence time, and reaction selectivity are integrated within confined nanoscale channels. In this keynote, I will present our development of free-standing polyurea network membranes and their application as nanofluidic reactors for both chemo- and biocatalysis.
The membranes are fabricated by organic sol–gel chemistry with phase separation-controlled pore formation, yielding robust, pore-size-tunable structures with bicontinuous nanochannels. Ultrafine Pd nanoparticles immobilized on the internal pore walls form Pd-loaded membrane nanoreactors with high catalyst accessibility, reduced aggregation, and stable performance under flow. These reactors enable efficient hydrodechlorination by forcing reactants through Pd-decorated catalytic nanochannels. We further extended this platform to selective alkyne semi-hydrogenation. The Pd-loaded membranes showed high activity and alkene selectivity, driven by differential adsorption at the catalytic pore surface. Under appropriate solvent conditions, alkynes adsorb more strongly than alkenes, promoting alkyne hydrogenation while allowing alkene products to desorb and diffuse out before over-hydrogenation occurs.
The same architecture also supports enzyme nanoreactors. Lipase-loaded nanofluidic membranes established a “Goldilocks” confinement regime that balances enzyme–substrate interactions with flow resistance. Carbonic anhydrase-loaded membranes further enhanced CO2 hydration and absorption in K2CO3 solutions, particularly with low-dose piperazine, demonstrating the synergy of enzyme confinement, promoter-mediated transport, and carbonate buffering for CO2 capture.
Together, these studies show that three-dimensionally continuous polyurea network membranes function as active nanofluidic reaction media for compact, reusable, highly active, and selective catalytic processes.
The membranes are fabricated by organic sol–gel chemistry with phase separation-controlled pore formation, yielding robust, pore-size-tunable structures with bicontinuous nanochannels. Ultrafine Pd nanoparticles immobilized on the internal pore walls form Pd-loaded membrane nanoreactors with high catalyst accessibility, reduced aggregation, and stable performance under flow. These reactors enable efficient hydrodechlorination by forcing reactants through Pd-decorated catalytic nanochannels. We further extended this platform to selective alkyne semi-hydrogenation. The Pd-loaded membranes showed high activity and alkene selectivity, driven by differential adsorption at the catalytic pore surface. Under appropriate solvent conditions, alkynes adsorb more strongly than alkenes, promoting alkyne hydrogenation while allowing alkene products to desorb and diffuse out before over-hydrogenation occurs.
The same architecture also supports enzyme nanoreactors. Lipase-loaded nanofluidic membranes established a “Goldilocks” confinement regime that balances enzyme–substrate interactions with flow resistance. Carbonic anhydrase-loaded membranes further enhanced CO2 hydration and absorption in K2CO3 solutions, particularly with low-dose piperazine, demonstrating the synergy of enzyme confinement, promoter-mediated transport, and carbonate buffering for CO2 capture.
Together, these studies show that three-dimensionally continuous polyurea network membranes function as active nanofluidic reaction media for compact, reusable, highly active, and selective catalytic processes.
