Polycatenation‐Driven Self‐Assembly of Nanoporous Frameworks Based on a 1D Ribbon of Rings: Regular Structural Evolution,Interpenetration Transformation,and Photochemical Modification

A series of nanoporous frameworks constructed by a polycatenated isoreticular 1D ribbon of rings have been developed. The orientation of catenated ribbons can be fine tuned by varying counter anions, which allows both pore size and shape to be systematically adjusted in a pre‐synthetic process. Distinct from conventional pore construction modes in which the organic linkers are alternately connected by metal nodes into a 3D periodic arrangement, the present polycatenation approach represents an alternative for constructing soft porous materials with tunable pore metrics and functions. Furthermore, these porous structures can interconvert into each other based on an anion‐exchange process, accompanied by the transformation of the interpenetrating structures in different dimensional networks, which is unusual in porous frameworks. In addition, such a porous framework can be post‐synthetically modified by a photoinduced [2+2] cycloaddition reaction, which not only achieves the surface modification (from conjugated to non‐conjugated inner surface), but also triggers the structural transformation from low dimension to high dimension. Such a post‐modification process reinforces the pore architecture through a covalent locking effect and has a great impact on the adsorption properties.     

Nanoporous thermosetting polymers

Potential applications of nanoporous thermosetting polymers include polyelectrolytes in fuel cells, separation membranes, adsorption media, and sensors. Design of nanoporous polymers for such applications entails controlling permeability by tailoring pore size, structure, and interface chemistry. Nanoporous thermosetting polymers are often synthesized via free radical mechanisms using solvents that phase separate during polymerization. In this work, a novel technique for the synthesis of nanoporous thermosets is presented that is based on the reactive encapsulation of an inert solvent using step-growth cross-linking polymerization without micro/macroscopic phase separation. The criteria for selecting such a monomer-polymer-solvent system are discussed based on FTIR analysis, observed micro/macroscopic phase separation, and thermodynamics of swelling. Investigation of resulting network pore structures by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and small-angle X-ray scattering following extraction and supercritical drying using carbon dioxide showed that nanoporous polymeric materials with pore sizes ranging from 1 to 50 nm can be synthesized by varying the solvent content. The differences in the porous morphology of these materials compared to more common free radically polymerized analogues that exhibit phase separation were evident from SEM imaging. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the chemical activity of the nanoporous materials obtained by our method could be tailored by grafting appropriate functional groups at the pore interface.     

Microbiologically Induced Carbonate Precipitation in the Restoration and Conservation of Cultural Heritage Materials

Microbiologically induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a well-known biogeochemical process that allows the formation of calcium carbonate deposits in the extracellular environment. The high concentration of carbonate and calcium ions on the bacterial surface, which serves as nucleation sites, promotes the calcium carbonate precipitation filling and binding deteriorated materials. Historic buildings and artwork, especially those present in open sites, are susceptible to enhanced weathering resulting from environmental agents, interaction with physical-chemical pollutants, and living organisms, among others. In this work, some published variations of a novel and ecological surface treatment of heritage structures based on MICP are presented and compared. This method has shown to be successful as a restoration, consolidation, and conservation tool for improvement of mechanical properties and prevention of unwanted gas and fluid migration from historical materials. The treatment has revealed best results on porous media matrixes; nevertheless, it can also be applied on soil, marble, concrete, clay, rocks, and limestone. MICP is proposed as a potentially safe and powerful procedure for efficient conservation of worldwide heritage structures.     

Advances in Porous Organic Polymers for Efficient Water Capture

Desiccant driven dehumidification for maintaining the proper humidity levels and atmospheric water capture with minimum energy penalty are important aspects in heat pumps, refrigeration, gas and liquid purifications, gas sensing, and clean water production for improved human health and comfort. Water adsorption by using nanoporous materials has emerged as a viable alternative to energy-intensive industrial processes, thus understanding the significance of their porosity, high surface areas, vast pore volumes, chemical and structural features relative to the water adsorption is quite important. In this review article, important features of nanoporous materials are presented, including zeolites, porous carbons, as well as crystalline and amorphous porous organic polymers (POPs) to define the interactions between the water molecules and the polar/non-polar functional groups on the surface of these nanoporous materials. In particular, focus is placed on the recent developments in POPs in the context of water capture as a result of their remarkable stability towards water and wide range of available synthetic routes and building blocks for their synthesis. We also highlighted recent approaches to increase the water sorption capacity of POPs by modifying their structure, morphology, porosity, and chemical functionality while emphasizing their promising future in this emerging area.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of gas diffusion in metal-organic frameworks: argon in CuBTC

The class of coordination polymers known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has three-dimensional porous structures that are considered as a promising alternative to zeolites and other nanoporous materials for catalysis, gas adsorption, and gas separation applications. In this paper, we present the first study of gas diffusion inside an MOF and compare the observed diffusion to known behaviors in zeolites. Using grand canonical Monte Carlo and equilibrium molecular dynamics, we calculate the adsorption isotherm and self-, corrected, and transport diffusivities for argon in the CuBTC metal-organic framework. Our results indicate that diffusion of Ar in CuBTC is very similar to Ar diffusion in silica zeolites in magnitude, concentration, and temperature dependence. This conclusion appears to apply to a broad range of MOF structures.     

多孔材料固定化脂肪酶的研究进展

在有机合成中,脂肪酶是一种符合绿色化学理念、能显著提高催化效率和对生化工业具有重要意义的生物催化剂,它的研究和应用涉及很多领域.然而,在众多有机反应中,脂肪酶容易受水、温度、 pH值、酶液浓度、底物浓度、酶的激活剂或抑制剂等许多因素的影响,导致失活,产率降低.为了解决这一问题,酶的固定化技术引起了广大科研工作者的浓厚兴趣,并发现了很多酶的固定化载体.其中,多孔材料类固定化载体颇受青睐,它具有孔隙率高、比表面积大、相对密度低、吸附性能较佳、渗透性能较好和精确的分子识别功能等优点.实验证明,多孔材料固定化酶比游离酶的应用效果更佳,多次循环利用后仍旧保持较高的酶活性.我们主要对多孔材料在固定化脂肪酶方面的应用和固定化酶的催化效果做了一个总结,多孔材料主要包括纳米多孔材料、大配体多孔材料、碳骨架多孔材料、氧化硅骨架多孔材料、聚合物类多孔材料等.     

Supramolecular Interactions and Morphology Control in Microwave Synthesis of Nanoporous Materials

Application of a microwave technique to the conventional hydrothermal process is gaining importance, especially, in the synthesis of nanoporous materials. This microwave technique is regarded as a novel synthesis tool because it gives several beneficial advantages such as homogeneous nucleation, rapid synthesis, formation of uniform crystals, and small crystallites, facile morphology control, energy efficiency and so on. Recently, it was found that it offers an efficient way to control the crystal morphology, size and orientation, and even crystalline phase which are required for many emerging applications of nanoporous materials. This review summarizes recent work on the microwave effect, supramolecular interactions and control of crystal morphology upon microwave synthesis of nanoporous materials performed by the present authors. Synthesis and morphology control of nanoporous materials such as ZSM-5, zeolite beta, metallosilicates, AlPO, MCM-41, SBA-15, SBA-16, etc. have been accomplished with microwave irradiation. In particular, the rapid nucleation and crystallization of ZSM-5 zeolite under microwave irradiation made it possible to enable the continuous microwave synthesis, implying a great industrial and technological importance. The formation of nanoporous materials, especially, silicate or aluminosilicate molecular sieves was described on the basis of supramolecular interactions between organic template molecules and silicate species under microwave irradiation. Besides decreasing synthesis time, it was duly demonstrated that the microwave technique provides an effective way to control particle size distribution and macroscopic morphology in the synthesis. Moreover, for the application of these porous materials, microwave-induced nanofabrication of microporous and mesoporous materials is more important than that of simple porous materials.     

Nanoporous oxide formation by anodic oxidation of Nb in sulphate–fluoride electrolytes

The influence of hydrofluoric acid (HF) concentration and applied potential on the processes of anodic oxidation of Nb in sulphuric acid solution was studied by chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. During the first stage of the process, a compact barrier film is formed. On top of this film, a porous overlayer starts to form, then the nanopores grow into an ordered nanostructure. Subsequently, secondary 3D flower-shaped structures begin to form. These structures gradually spread all over the surface as an irregular multilayer film. The rates of the process of porous overlayer formation and subsequent growth of nanopore arrays increase with applied potential as well as with the HF concentration. The films have been characterised ex situ by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy at open circuit potential and capacitance vs. potential measurements to follow the different stages of nanoporous film formation with electrochemical methods. The impedance spectra and capacitance vs. potential curves have been interpreted using previously proposed models for the amorphous semiconductor/electrolyte interface. An attempt to rationalise the mechanism of nanoporous layer growth is presented by using the conceptual views of the mixed-conduction model and recent ideas for porous film formation on valve metals.     

Monolithic integration of well-ordered nanoporous structures in the microfluidic channels for bioseparation

Gel electrophoresis and capillary gel electrophoresis are widely used for the separation of biomolecules. With increasing demand in the miniaturized devices such as lab-on-a-chip, it is necessary to integrate such a separation component into a chip format. Here, we describe a simple approach to fabricate robust three-dimensional periodic porous nanostructures inside the microchannels for the separation of DNA molecules. In our approach, the colloidal crystals were first grown inside the microchannel using evaporation assisted self-assembly process. Then the void spaces among the colloidal crystals were filled with epoxy-based negative tone photoresist (SU-8). UV radiation was used to cure the photoresist at the desired area inside the microchannel. After subsequent development and nanoparticle removal, the well-ordered nanoporous structures inside the microchannel were obtained. Our results indicated that it was possible to construct periodic porous nanostructures inside the microchannels with cavity size around 300 nm and interconnecting pores around 30 nm. The mobility of large DNA molecules with different sizes was measured as a function of the applied electric field in the nanoporous materials. It was also demonstrated that 1 kilo-base pair (kbp) DNA ladders could be separated in such an integrated system within 10 min under moderate electric field.     

An aptasensor for sensitive detection of human breast cancer cells by using porous GO/Au composites and porous PtFe alloy as effective sensing platform and signal amplification labels

A novel aptamer biosensor for cancer cell assay has been reported on the basis of ultrasensitive electrochemical detection. The assay uses the aptamer as a capture probe to recognize and bind the tumor marker on the surface of the cancer cells, forming an aptamer-based sandwich structure for MCF-7 cells detection. Functionalized nanoporous materials, porous graphene oxide/Au composites (GO/Au composites) and porous PtFe alloy have been introduced into the biosensor. Owing to the large surface area and versatile porous structure, the use of nanoporous materials can significantly improve the analysis performance of the biosensors by loading of large amounts of molecules and accelerating diffusion rate. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the proposed aptamer biosensor exhibited excellent analytical performance for MCF-7 cells determination, ranging from 100 to 5.0 × 10⁷ cells mL⁻¹ with the detection limit of 38 cells mL⁻¹. The biosensor showed good selectivity, acceptable stability and reproducibility, and developed a highly sensitive and selective method for cancer cells detection.     

Formation of Copper Oxide Nanotextures on Porous Calcium Carbonate Templates for Water Treatment

The necessity of providing clean water sources increases the demand to develop catalytic systems for water treatment. Good pollutants adsorbers are a key ingredient, and CuO is one of the candidate materials for this task. Among the different approaches for CuO synthesis, precipitation out of aqueous solutions is a leading candidate due to the facile synthesis, high yield, sustainability, and the reported shape control by adjustment of the counter anions. We harness this effect to investigate the formation of copper oxide-based 3D structures. Specifically, the counter anion (chloride, nitrate, and acetate) affects the formation of copper-based hydroxides and the final structure following their conversion into copper oxide nanostructures over porous templates. The formation of a 3D structure is obtained when copper chloride or nitrate reacts with a Sorites scaffold (marine-based calcium carbonate template) without external hydroxide addition. The transformation into copper oxides occurs after calcination or reduction of the obtained Cu₂(OH)₃X (X = Cl⁻ or NO₃⁻) while preserving the porous morphology. Finally, the formed Sorites@CuO structure is examined for water treatment to remove heavy metal cations and degrade organic contaminant molecules.     

129Xe NMR spectroscopy study of porous cyanometallates

Zinc and cadmium hexacyanocobaltates(III) were prepared, and their porous networks were explored using 129Xe spectroscopy. The crystal structures of these two compounds are representative of porous hexacyanometallates, cubic (Fm-3m) for cadmium and rhombohedral (R-3c) for zinc. In the cubic structure, the porosity is related to systematic vacancies created from the elemental building block (i.e., the hexacyanometallate anion), whereas the rhombohedral (R-3c) structure is free of vacant sites but has tetrahedral coordination for the zinc atom, which leads to relatively large ellipsoidal pores communicated by elliptical windows. According to the Xe adsorption isotherms, these porous frameworks were found to be accessible to the Xe atom. The structure of the higher electric field gradient at the pore surface (Fm-3m) appears and is accompanied by a stronger guest-host interaction for the Xe atoms and a higher capacity for Xe sorption. For cadmium, the 129Xe NMR signal is typical of isotropic movement for the Xe atom, indicating that it remains trapped within a spherical cavity. From spectra recorded for different amounts of adsorbed Xe, the cavity diameter was estimated. For the zinc complex, 129Xe NMR spectra are asymmetric because of the Xe atom movement within an elongated cavity. The line-shape asymmetry changes when the Xe loading within the porous framework increases, which was ascribed to Xe-Xe interactions through the cavity windows. The Xe adsorption revealed additional structural information for the studied materials.     

Nanopore generation in hybrid polycyanurate/poly(ε-caprolactone) thermostable networks

Novel nanoporous thermosetting films were obtained from thermostable polycyanurate (PCN)-based hybrid networks synthesized by polycyclotrimerization of cyanate ester of bisphenol E in the presence of a modifier reactive toward cyanate groups, i.e. dihydroxy-telechelic poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). The nanoporous structure was generated in PCN/PCL hybrid networks after extraction of unreacted free PCL sub-chains which were not chemically incorporated into the PCN cross-linked framework. Structure–property relationships for precursory and porous PCN/PCL hybrid networks were investigated using a large array of physico-chemical techniques. The porosity associated with the networks after extraction was more particularly evaluated by SEM and DSC-based thermoporometry: pore sizes around 10–90 nm were determined along with pore volumes as high as about 0.3 cm³ g⁻¹. Density and dielectric measurements strongly suggested the occurrence of closed pore structures. Due to their high thermal stability as investigated by TGA, nanoporous PCN/PCL hybrid cross-linked films could be considered as promising materials for potential applications as thermostable membranes.     

Supercapacitive Swing Adsorption of Carbon Dioxide

An electrical effect, the supercapacitive swing adsorption (SSA) effect is reported, which allows for reversible adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide by capacitive charge and discharge of electrically conducting porous carbon materials. The SSA effect can be observed when an electrically conducting, nanoporous carbon material is brought into contact with carbon dioxide gas and an aqueous electrolyte. Charging the supercapacitor electrodes initiates the spontaneous organization of electrolyte ions into an electric double layer at the surface of each porous electrode. The presence of this double layer leads to reversible, selective uptake and release of the CO₂ as the supercapacitor is charged and discharged.     

Enantioselective Nanoporous Carbon Based on Chiral Ionic Liquids

One of the greatest challenges in modern chemical processing is to achieve enantiospecific control in chemical reactions using chiral media such as chiral mesoporous materials. Herein, we describe a novel and effective synthetic pathway for the preparation of enantioselective nanoporous carbon, based on chiral ionic liquids (CILs). CILs of phenylalanine (CIL(Phe)) are used as precursors for the carbonization of chiral mesoporous carbon. We employ circular dichroism spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and chronoamperometry in order to demonstrate the chiral nature of the mesoporous carbon. The approach presented in this paper is highly significant for the development of a new type of chiral porous materials for enantioselective chemistry. In addition, it contributes significantly to our understanding of the structure and nature of chiral nanoporous materials and surfaces.     

PHBV/Sol-gel Bioglass多孔材料在模拟生理溶液中的化学反应研究

3-羟基丁酸-co-3-羟基戊酸共聚物(PHBV)/生物活性玻璃(SGBG)是一种用于骨和软骨组织工程支架的新型多孔复合材料,本文探讨了PHBV/SGBG在模拟生理溶液中的一系列化学反应,以及多孔材料在模拟生理溶液中浸泡后的成分和结构变化.研究结果表明,在SBF溶液中浸泡后,SGBG与SBF溶液的离子交换反应和PHBV的降解反应使SBF溶液的离子浓度发生变化,并在PHBV/SGBG表面形成了结晶态类骨碳酸羟基磷灰石.     

碳气凝胶活化对于电极嵌锂性能的影响

碳气凝胶由于其对于可充电锂离子电池的高能嵌锂特性, 近年来受关注程度逐渐增加. 碳气凝胶以间苯二酚-甲醛在碳酸钠催化下, 通过溶胶-凝胶工艺、常压干燥技术、碳化、活化后制得. 经CO₂气体活化后的碳气凝胶结合了无定型和纳米多孔结构的优点, 在材料原有基础上丰富了多孔结构, 增加了嵌锂点位. 其中, 微孔提供了高比表面积和孔体积以容纳锂及其化合物; 介孔则提供了锂离子大量传输的通道, 从而使得电极具有更高的离子电导率. 这些微结构的优化使材料获得了更高的嵌锂比容量. 此外, 活化碳气凝胶显示了2032 m²·g^-1的比表面积. X射线衍射(XRD)和扫描电子显微镜(SEM)的测试结果分别表明了其无定型特质以及纳米颗粒的网络状骨架. 该材料在首次和第50次恒流充放电(50 mA·g^-1)循环的嵌锂容量分别为3870和352 mAh·g^-1, 对应的可逆容量分别为658 和333 mAh·g^-1. 表明了CO₂活化对于改善碳气凝胶嵌锂性能的可行性, 且对于其它多孔电极材料的制备及特性优化提供了一种途径.     

Porous copolymer film materials by using free radical copolymerization and its side reaction product, homopolymer, as template

The present report introduces a simple and novel strategy for producing an ordered porous copolymer film material by using its side reaction product, homopolymer, in free radical copolymerization as template. In general, homopolymers are side products in free radical copolymerization, but herein we try to make good use of them (e.g. PMMA). In this paper, we optimized the graft copolymerization of gelatin and MMA via traditional free radical initiation. PMMA is a side product and act as a template to create ordered nanoporous structure. Furthermore, this approach has been successfully extended to chitosan-g-PMMA and gelatin-g-PS systems. The present novel approach provides a new opportunity by using the side product in copolymerization to fabricate ordered porous structure film materials. The porous gelatin-g-PMMA film is especially suitable as surfaces for cell growth due to its good biocompatibility, mechanical properties and multilayer structure.     

Electrochemical analysis based on nanoporous structures

Analytical applications and the underlying principles of unique electrochemistry in nanoporous structures are reviewed and discussed. In addition to the conventional concept of enlarged surface area, the structural effects of nanoporous materials can play significant roles such as discriminative electrokinetics, the nano-confinement effect, electrical double layer overlapping, ion-selective impedance, etc. The applications described in this review article include solid-state pH sensors, miniaturized pseudo-reference electrodes, nonenzymatic glucose monitoring, ion diodes, transistors, extracellular neural probes, and a few more. Further intensive research is required to develop creative analytical tools based on nanoporous structures and to unravel the underlying physicochemical principles.