Molecularly imprinted catalysts and methods of making and using the same
AssigneeEmpire Technology Development LLC
InventorXiaobin Hu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Molecularly imprinted catalysts are disclosed. The catalysts can include a core and a layer at least partially encapsulating the core. The core can include a titania-based photocatalyst. The layer can include titania covalently coupled to one or more silane coupling agents having an organic functional group. The layer can also include one or more molecular-sized cavities configured to selectively receive one or more contaminants. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and using the molecularly imprinted catalyst, as well as apparatuses and compositions including the molecularly imprinted catalyst.
Claims37
A molecularly imprinted catalyst comprising:
- a core comprising a titania-based photocatalyst;
- and
- a layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the layer comprising titania covalently coupled to one or more silane coupling agents having an organic functional group, wherein the layer further comprises one or more molecular-sized cavities configured to selectively receive one or more contaminants.
7-8. (canceled)
A method of making a molecularly imprinted catalyst, the method comprising:
- combining one or more silane coupling agents and one or more contaminants to form a complex;
- combining one or more reactive titania precursors with the complex to form a suspension;
- combining the suspension with one or more nanoparticles comprising a titania-based photocatalyst to form a molecularly imprinted structure on the nanoparticles;
- and
- removing at least a portion of the contaminants from the molecularly imprinted structure on the nanoparticles.
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25-27. (canceled)
(canceled)
A method of degrading a contaminant, the method comprising:
- combining a molecularly imprinted catalyst with a contaminant, wherein the molecularly imprinted catalyst comprises a core comprising a titania-based photocatalyst, and a layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the layer comprising titania covalently coupled to one or more silane coupling agents having an organic functional group, wherein the layer further comprises one or more molecular-sized cavities configured to selectively receive the contaminant;
- and
- exposing the molecularly imprinted catalyst to a radiation effective to degrade at least a portion of the contaminants.
32-34. (canceled)
An apparatus for degrading a contaminant, the apparatus comprising:
- a molecularly imprinted catalyst comprising:
- a core comprising a titania-based photocatalyst;
- and
- a layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the layer comprising titania covalently coupled to one or more silane coupling agents having an organic functional group, wherein the layer further comprises one or more molecular-sized cavities configured to selectively receive one or more contaminants;
- and
- a light source configured to emit radiation that, when received by the molecularly imprinted catalyst in contact with the contaminants, is effective to degrade at least a portion of the contaminants.
A film comprising:
- an inert polymer;
- and
- a molecularly imprinted catalyst dispersed within the inert polymer, wherein the molecularly imprinted catalyst comprises a core comprising a titania-based photocatalyst, and a layer at least partially encapsulating the core, the layer comprising titania covalently coupled to one or more silane coupling agents having an organic functional group, wherein the layer further comprises one or more molecular-sized cavities configured to selectively receive one or more organic contaminants.
38-39. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.