Fabrication And Application Of Calixarene Functionalized Biomimetic Nanochannel

Biomimetic materials research as an important branch of materials science is an interdiscipline composed of chemistry, biology, physics and materials science. Various biomimetic materials inspired by biological or developed to imitate the characteristic of biological will make a great contribution in the21st century. Biological nanochannels play an important role in normal physiological processes, such as precise regulation the transmembrane transport of various inorganic ions and biomolecule. The highly selectivity and gating properties for ions transport have attracted more and more attention from researchers. Many biomimetic nanomaterials which have great basic research value and broad application prospects have been developed based on the comprehensive research technique composed of nanotechnology, interface chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, molecular biology and statistical physics. In this context, in order to further broaden the range of applications about biomimetic nanochannels, calixarene molecules have successfully been introduced into the nanochannel. We have achieved some good results in biological sensing and intelligent response nano-fluidic devices. The details are as follows:Firstly,p-Sulfonatocalix[4]arene (SCX4) was modified to the inner wall of nanochanel by layer-by-layer electrostatic assembly. The SCX4/acetylcholine complexes formed on the inner wall of the channel affected ions transport in the channel. So Ach could be recognized with high sensitivity via measurements of the rectified ion flux.Secondly, UV induced grafting coupling reaction has been successfully achieved on the surface of nanochannel based on the unique confinement nano-sized of nanochannel. SCX4have been introduced to the nanochannel. These functional nanochannels can be used for the selective recognition of arginine.Thirdly, a new calixcrown has been synthesized and has been successfully modified to hour-glass shape single nanochannel through the asymmetric modification and click reaction. These functional nanochannels displayed the advanced feature of providing simultaneous control over both pH-and lysine-tunable ionic transport properties.Fourthly, hydrophobic group, azobenzene was introduced to the nanochannel by covalent modification. The wettability of the inner wall of nanochannel was regulated by the inclusion between hydrophilic beta cyclodextrins and azobenzene. We find that the increasing of the hydrophilicity could promote the ion transport throngh the nanochannel.