Press Release 116/2018

Bioinspired Nanoreactors

Meeting of the Collaborative Research Center “Molecular Structuring of Soft Matter” with the GDCh Division of “Macromolecular Chemistry” on September 24 to 27 at KIT
2018_116_Nanoreaktoren nach natuerlichen Vorbildern gebaut_72dpi
Scientists of KIT and QUT in Brisbane/Australia have developed bioinspired, catalytically active single-chain nanoparticles. (Figure: Ella Maru)

Researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed bioinspired minute reactors. As reported in the journal of the American Chemical Society (DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b02135), research focuses on catalytically active single-chain nanoparticles mimicking the structure of metallo-enzymes. Production of such tailor-made macromolecules is one of the goals of the KIT-coordinated collaborative research center “Molecular Structuring of Soft Matter” (CRC 1176). The meeting of the CRC with the Division of “Macromolecular Chemistry” of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh, Society of German Chemists) will take place from September 24 to 27 at KIT.

 

 

Catalysis, in the course of which a substance accelerates a chemical reaction, but remains unchanged, is of central importance to many industrial processes. To develop efficient catalysts optimized for various applications, researchers of different disciplines working in the Collaborative Research Center “Molecular Structuring of Soft Matter” (CRC 1176) of KIT were inspired by biological models. The chemists combined the structuring of natural enzymes with the design of synthetic macromolecules. As reported by the scientists in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, their work is inspired by the structure of metallo-enzymes, catalytically active proteins containing a metal. They specifically insert metal ions into a tailored-made polymer framework. The results are catalytically active single-chain nanoparticles. “In first studies, these new multi-functional nanoreactors reached very promising results as regards both catalyst characteristics and product formation,” say Professor Christopher Barner-Kowollik, Head of the Macromolecular Architectures Group of the Institute for Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry (ITCP), and Professor Peter Roesky, Head of the Chair for Inorganic Functional Materials of KIT’s Institute for Inorganic Chemistry (AOC).

 

 

Original publication: Hannah Rothfuss, Nicolai D. Knöfel, Peter W. Roesky, and Christopher Barner-Kowollik: Single-Chain Nanoparticles as Catalytic Nanoreactors. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 2018. DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b02135. Abstract at: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.8b02135.

 

 

The Collaborative Research Center “Molecular Structuring of Soft Matter”

 

The catalytically active single-chain nanoparticles have been developed by the KIT-coordinated collaborative research center “Molecular Structuring of Soft Matter” (CRC 1176) funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) in close cooperation with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane/Australia. Within this collaborative research center, scientists are working on theoretical, analytical, and synthetic processes to specifically adjust the chain length or sequence of the building blocks of large molecules, for instance. The goal is the controlled structuring of soft matter on the molecular level in three dimensions in order to obtain macromolecules precisely designed for defined functions.

 

More information on CRC 1176: http://www.sfb1176.de.

 

 

Chemical Passwords and Molecular Tissues

 

Within CRC 1176, KIT researchers also found a way to reliably protect digitally transmitted sensitive information. They combined computer science and chemistry knowledge, i.e. a common encryption process and a chemical password. It represents a chemical compound with a certain sequence of building blocks and attached side chains. Letters and numbers are assigned to the chemical components.

 

More information: https://www.kit.edu/kit/pi_2018_044_agent-007-organische-molekule-als-geheimnistrager.php

 

 

Another highlight of CRC 1176 are two-dimensional fabrics made of monomolecular polymer threads. To produce these tissues of a single molecular layer in thickness, the researchers used surface-mounted metal-organic frameworks, called SURMOFs, as “looms.” The polymer threads are kept together by the chemical forces resulting from the weaving pattern, such that the molecular tissues are as flexible as conventional fabrics.

 

More information: https://www.kit.edu/kit/english/pi_2017_020_metal-organic-frameworks-used-as-looms.php

 

 

Conference “Dimensional Control of Polymer Materials – From Synthesis to Function”

 

The design of polymer materials made of precisely structured macromolecules will also be in the focus of the conference “Dimensional Control of Polymer Materials – From Synthesis to Function” that will take place from September 24 to 27, 2018, on KIT Campus South.

 

[…]

 

For the complete program, click www.gdch.de/makro2018

 

Weitere Materialien:

 

 

Detailed information about the KIT Materials Center: http://www.materials.kit.edu

 

Being “The Research University in the Helmholtz Association”, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 9,800 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,300 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.

or, 20.09.2018
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