Ion channel mimetic membranes and silica nanotubes prepared from porous aluminum oxide templates

Chapter 1 provides background information on the template synthesis of nanomaterials. The template synthesis method is examined with special attention to the use of membranes containing monodisperse cylindrical pores as templates. Several examples of the utility of template-synthesized nanomaterials are given. The production of one type of template membrane, nanopore alumina, is reviewed. Reviews of sol-gel and silane chemistry are also provided.; In Chapter 2, a sol-gel template synthesis process is used to produce silica nanotubes within the pores of alumina templates. The nanotubes can be modified using a variety of chemistries, typically via a silanization process. Because the nanotubes are formed in a template, the interior and exterior surface can be modified independently. Modified nanotubes can be used for drug detoxification or as extractants for the removal of metal ions. The nanotube surface can also be biotinylated, which causes binding to avidinated surfaces. Composite microtubes of silica and various polymers are also prepared. Additionally, Au nanowires are shown to assemble with colloidal Au particles using dithiols as linkers.; Chapter 3 describes the attachment of proteins onto template-synthesized silica nanotubes. The proteins are covalently linked via an aldehyde silane bridge that binds to pendant primary amino moieties on the protein. Protein-modified nanotubes function as highly specific extractants. Avidin-modified nanotubes extract biotin-coated Au nanoparticles from solution with high extraction efficiency. Immunoprotein-modified nanotubes extract the corresponding antibody from solution with high specificity. Antibody-modified nanotubes extract one enantiomer from a racemic mix. Enzymes, including drug detoxification enzymes, were also attached to the nanotubes and were shown to retain their catalytic activity. Immunoproteins on the outside of nanotubes can be used to direct nanotube binding, creating specific labeling agents.; Chapter 4 describes the production of synthetic microporous membranes that mimic ligand-gated ion channels. The membranes are prepared from microporous alumina that is silanized with a silane containing a hydrophobic C₁₈ chain. The hydrophobic C₁₈ chains exclude aqueous solutions from entering the pores. Ionic surfactant molecules act as a chemical stimulus to allow water to flood the pores, which in turn permits molecular flux across the membrane. The effect of concentration and hydrophobicity of the surfact analyte species are examined, as is the effectiveness of several drug compounds as analytes. The results and conclusions of this dissertation are summarized in Chapter 5.