Development of Monodisperse and Stable Coacervate Droplets via Microfluidics for Catalysis Applications

New, greener methods for performing large-scale industrial chemical reactions are critical to decoupling the chemical industry from fossil fuels. Once such emerging category of reactions known as chemoenzymatic reactions are reliant on fossil fuel-derived solvents to run the reactions. Chemoenzymatic reactions are critical in making complex molecules essential in the pharmaceutical and materials industries. We proposed using peptide coacervates, a green, biocompatible liquid material that mimics the solvents required for chemoenzymatic reactions. Our novel approach employs mild conditions, allowing for simple reusability. Improvements in reproducibility will be achieved through microfluidics, a technique that can precisely control the formation of liquid micro-materials. Overall, this advancement will allow for a wider range of chemoenzymatic reactions that are more accessible due to reduced costs and environmental/safety impacts, therefore reducing the environmental and monetary costs of chemoenzymatic reactions.

Both McGill University and the Max Plank Institute (MPI) stand to gain from this project. The expertise in microfluidics will be transferred back to McGill, where groups working on similar projects will take advantage of this import technique. Conversely, peptide coacervates are a new material that will expand the capabilities of the MPI and lead the charge toward greener chemistry.

Faculty Supervisor:

Lucas Caire da Silva

Student:

Partner:

Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Education

University:

McGill University

Program: