Build of a modular photoreactor

Abstract

Light-promoted chemical reactions are critical to the existence and maintenance of life. Examples include photosynthesis, vitamin D biosynthesis and vision. With the development of new catalysts for photochemical processes, light has been increasingly used as a source of energy in synthesis. The use of light as a "chemical reagent" benefits from controlled reaction conditions in which the number of photons incident on the sample, the reaction temperature, the geometry of the experimental setup, and the homogeneity of the light source are the most important parameters. In this undergraduate research project, we propose the development of a modular photochemical reactor, composed of a control unit and an interchangeable illumination based on LED illumination in the visible region, operating under controlled temperature. Two light modules are proposed: one with flat geometry, for the irradiation of samples in microplates, and the other in a cylindrical configuration, suitable for reaction flasks. A chemical actinometer will be used to measure the luminous flux and to calibrate the irradiation system.