Abstract
A helium atom superfluid was originally discovered by Kapitsa and Allen. Biological channels in such a fluid allow ultrafast molecule and ion transport, defined as a quantum-confined superfluid (QSF). In the process of enzymatic biosynthesis, unique performances can be achieved with high flux, 100% selectivity and low reaction activation energy at room temperature, under atmospheric pressure in an aqueous environment. Such reactions are considered as QSF reactions. In this perspective, we introduce the concept of QSF reactions in artificial systems. Through designing the channel size at the van der Waals equilibrium distance (r0) for molecules or the Debye length (λD) for ions, and arranging the reactants orderly in the channel to satisfy symmetry-matching principles, QSF reactions in artificial systems can be realized with high flux, 100% selectivity and low reaction activation energy. Several types of QSF-like molecular reactions are summarized, including quantum-confined polymerizations, quasi-superfluid-based reactions and superfluid-based molecular reactions, followed by the discussion of QSF ion redox reactions. We envision in the future that chemical engineering, based on multi-step QSF reactions, and a tubular reactor with continuous nanochannel membranes taking advantage of high flux, high selectivity and low energy consumption, will replace the traditional tower reactor, and bring revolutionary technology to both chemistry and chemical engineering.
Highlights
The concept of an atomic super uid can be traced back to the 1930s, when Kapitsa and Allen et al observed a 4He uid below 2.17 K.1,2 The nearly zero viscosity of the 4He super uid means that there is no loss of kinetic energy, and its velocity through capillaries with varying diameters increases rapidly as its channel diameter decreases.[3]
In the process of enzymatic biosynthesis, unique performances can be achieved with high flux, 100% selectivity and low reaction activation energy at room temperature, under atmospheric pressure in an aqueous environment
We introduce the concept of quantum-confined superfluid (QSF) reactions in artificial systems
Summary
The concept of an atomic super uid can be traced back to the 1930s, when Kapitsa and Allen et al observed a 4He uid below 2.17 K.1,2 The nearly zero viscosity of the 4He super uid means that there is no loss of kinetic energy, and its velocity through capillaries with varying diameters increases rapidly as its channel diameter decreases.[3]. Perspective loss can be realized, with such phenomena being de ned as a quantum-con ned super uid (QSF).[6,7] In the process of enzymatic biosynthesis, the reactant molecules arrange in the channels orderly, which greatly reduces the reaction activation energy, realizing 100% selectivity and ultrahigh ux in the bodily environment. The fatty acids are synthesized via a series of decarboxylative Claisen condensation reactions by fatty acid synthase, and the growing fatty acid chain is carried between these active sites of synthase (Fig. 1e).[14] These enzymatic reactions involve the highly-ordered arrangement of reactants in a con ned nanospace, realizing QSF reactions with high ux, 100% selectivity and low reaction activation energy at room temperature, under atmospheric pressure in an aqueous environment In this perspective, we introduce the concept of QSF reactions in arti cial systems. We further look forward to the future chemical engineering based on QSF reactions, which would achieve excellent performances in terms of high ux, high selectivity and low energy consumption
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