Self-assembling subnanometer pores with unusual mass-transport properties

Xibin Zhou, Guande Liu, Kazuhiro Yamato, Yi Shen, Ruixian Cheng, Xiaoxi Wei, Wanli Bai, Yi Gao, Hui Li, Yi Liu, Futao Liu, Daniel M. Czajkowsky, Jingfang Wang, Michael J. Dabney, Zhonghou Cai, Jun Hu, Frank V. Bright, Lan He, Xiao Cheng Zeng, Zhifeng Shao () and Bing Gong ()
Additional contact information
Xibin Zhou: College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University
Guande Liu: Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Kazuhiro Yamato: University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Yi Shen: Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ruixian Cheng: College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University
Xiaoxi Wei: University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Wanli Bai: College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University
Yi Gao: Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Hui Li: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Yi Liu: College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University
Futao Liu: College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University
Daniel M. Czajkowsky: Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jingfang Wang: Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Michael J. Dabney: University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Zhonghou Cai: Argonne National Laboratory
Jun Hu: Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Frank V. Bright: University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Lan He: College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University
Xiao Cheng Zeng: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Zhifeng Shao: Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Bing Gong: College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University

Nature Communications, 2012, vol. 3, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract A long-standing aim in molecular self-assembly is the development of synthetic nanopores capable of mimicking the mass-transport characteristics of biological channels and pores. Here we report a strategy for enforcing the nanotubular assembly of rigid macrocycles in both the solid state and solution based on the interplay of multiple hydrogen-bonding and aromatic π−π stacking interactions. The resultant nanotubes have modifiable surfaces and inner pores of a uniform diameter defined by the constituent macrocycles. The self-assembling hydrophobic nanopores can mediate not only highly selective transmembrane ion transport, unprecedented for a synthetic nanopore, but also highly efficient transmembrane water permeability. These results establish a solid foundation for developing synthetically accessible, robust nanostructured systems with broad applications such as reconstituted mimicry of defined functions solely achieved by biological nanostructures, molecular sensing, and the fabrication of porous materials required for water purification and molecular separations.

Date: 2012
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1949

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