Controlling molecular transport and confinement in Mesoporous Materials: towards intelligent perm-selective membranes

G. J. A. A. SOLER ILLIA

Conferencia; Nanotech 2018, Symposium on Nanomaterials wit applications in solar energy, environment and health; 2018

The combination of nanomaterials synthesis with self-assembly processes led to asignificant advance in the production of hybrid inorganic-organic Mesoporous Materials(MM) with controllable pore structures and localized functions. Our ability to produce theseprecise architectures with well-defined localized functions opens the path to create?intelligent materials? that can change their physical or chemical properties in response tothe environment. Programmable nanosystems can be envisaged, in which confinementeffects, responsivity, or collaborative functionality can be imparted into the structurethrough the control of positional chemistry of different chemical building blocks.In this presentation, we will present recent results in the design and perm-selectiveperformance of MM-based systems made up through the incorporation of molecular,biomolecular or polymeric nanobuilding blocks. A variety of MM thin films or colloidalparticles can be produced through the self-assembly of inorganic nanobuilding blocks inthe presence of supramolecular templates. MM can then be decorated by small molecularspecies, biomolecules, polymers or nanoparticles. The final functionality is attainedthrough the combined control of the pore size and shape, the contents of the pore interior,and the interactions at the pore surface level. We will discuss in detail the chemical toolboxto incorporate molecular fragments and polyelectrolytes within the mesopores in order todesign and produce perm-selective electrodes or membranes. In addition to synthetic andcharacterization tools, theoretical models and simulations are essential to understand thecomplexity of the synthesis paths and the final properties. This in-depth knowledge is keyto ultimate nanosystems design. A potentially infinite variety of nanosystems withexternally controllable behavior is at our disposal, opening the path to design intelligentmatter.