Researchers at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics have developed a hollow nanoreactor inspired by living cells that uses visible light to produce hydrogen peroxide more efficiently. The nanoreactor combines a porous polydopamine shell with a hollow internal cavity. Its cell-inspired design helps shuttle protons, concentrate reactants, and trap incoming light, improving the chemical reactions needed to produce hydrogen peroxide. Under visible light, the system achieved a hydrogen peroxide production rate of 3.24 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ and a solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency of 1.2%. Researchers also incorporated the nanoreactors into a sodium alginate hydrogel, creating a recyclable photocatalyst that could continuously produce hydrogen peroxide using natural sunlight. The findings could open new possibilities for artificial photosynthesis, cleaner chemical manufacturing, and solar-powered energy catalysis, while demonstrating how principles from living cells can be recreated in synthetic nanomaterials.
