The effects of fluorescent probes on model membrane organization: photo-induced lipid sorting and soft structure formation

Liquid crystalline phase behaviour in model cell membranes prepared in-vitro has generated an enormous amount of interest in recent years and the phase diagrams of various bio-mimetic mixtures explored. Most recently photo-induced oxidation in fluorescently labelled membranes has been shown to influence these phase diagrams and can be used to generate interesting membrane-based geometries based on differences in membrane composition. In this article the different phases observed in model membranes will be discussed. Methods used to study these systems and recent developments in photo-stimulated phase changes are described along with areas for future investigation.     

Graphene‐sensitized microporous membrane/solvent microextraction for the preconcentration of cinnamic acid derivatives in Rhizoma Typhonii

A novel graphene‐sensitized microporous membrane/solvent microextraction method named microporous membrane/graphene/solvent synergistic microextraction, coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography and UV detection, was developed and introduced for the extraction and determination of three cinnamic acid derivatives in Rhizoma Typhonii. Several factors affecting performance were investigated and optimized, including the types of graphene and extraction solvent, concentration of graphene dispersed in octanol, sample phase pH, ionic strength, stirring rate, extraction time, extraction temperature, and sample volume. Under optimized conditions, the enrichment factors of cinnamic acid derivatives ranged from 75 to 269. Good linearities were obtained from 0.01 to 10 μg/mL for all analytes with regression coefficients between 0.9927 and 0.9994. The limits of quantification were <1 ng/mL, and satisfactory recoveries (99–104%) and precision (1.1–10.8%) were also achieved. The synergistic microextraction mechanism based on graphene sensitization was analyzed and described. The experimental results showed that the method was simple, sensitive, practical, and effective for the preconcentration and determination of cinnamic acid derivatives in Rhizoma Typhonii.     

Isoporous Block Copolymer Membranes

The developments in membranes based on tailored block copolymers are reported with an emphasis on isoporous membranes. These membranes can be prepared in different geometries, namely flat sheets and hollow fibers. They display narrow pore size distributions due to their formation by self‐assembly. The preparation of these membranes and possibilities to further functionalize such membranes will be discussed. Different ways to control the pore size will be addressed, and the potential of block copolymer blends to fabricate membranes with tailored pore sizes will be shown.

     

Continuous Porous Aromatic Framework Membranes with Modifiable Sites for Optimized Gas Separation

Continuous microporous membranes are widely studied for gas separation, due to their low energy premium and strong molecular specificity. Porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs) with their exceptional stability and structural flexibility are suited to a wide range of separations. Main-stream PAF-based membranes are usually prepared with polymeric matrices, but their discrete entities and boundary defects weaken their selectivity and permeability. The synthesis of continuous PAF membranes is still a major challenge because PAFs are insoluble. Herein, we successfully synthesized a continuous PAF membrane for gas separation. Both pore size and chemistry of the PAF membrane were modified by ion-exchange, resulting in good selectivity and permeance for the gas mixtures H₂/N₂ and CO₂/N₂. The membrane with Br^? as a counter ion in the framework exhibited a H₂/N₂ selectivity of 72.7 with a H₂ permeance of 51844 gas permeation units (GPU). When the counter ions were replaced by BF₄^?, the membrane showed a CO₂ permeance of 23058 GPU, and an optimized CO₂/N₂ selectivity of 60.0. Our results show that continuous PAF membranes with modifiable pores are promising for various gas separation situations.     

Surface and Interface Engineering for Advanced Nanofiltration Membranes

Nanofiltration has been attracting great attention in alleviating the global water crisis because of its high efficiency,mild operation,and strong adaptability.Over decades,it remains a challenge to break the upper limit of performance and establish the formation-structureproperty relationship for nanofiltration membranes.This feature article summarizes our recent progress in the preparation of high-performance thin-film composite(TFC)nanofiltration membranes,focusing on the mussel-inspired deposition method and the optimized interfacial polymerization(IP).By accelerating the oxidation of polydopamine and equilibrating the rate of aggregation and deposition processes,the mussel-inspired deposition method realizes the rapid and uniform formation of selective coatings or nanofilms.Diverse deposition systems endow the selective layer with rich chemical structures and easy post-functionalization,highlighting its potential in water treatment.As for optimizing the conventional IP,the rapid polycondensation of amine and acid chloride groups is slowed down to enable the controllability of IP at the water-organic interface.The homogeneity and integrity of the TFC membranes are improved by constructing a uniform reaction platform and introducing a viscous medium to control the amine diffusion,which facilitates the water permeability and promotes the separation efficiency.We have proposed a series of practical strategies for improving TFC membranes and might provide more inspiration for other nanofiltration techniques.     

钯合金膜分离纯化氢同位素的研究进展

钯合金膜因其具有优异的透氢性能及良好的化学和热稳定性,已被广泛应用于氢同位素的分离纯化领域。而PdAg和PdY合金膜在众多钯合金膜中透氢性能出色备受关注。本文比较了PdAg、PdY等多元钯合金膜的透氢性能及抗中毒情况,总结了PdAg复合膜的制备方法及透氢选择性,重点介绍了钯合金膜分离氢同位素的研究进展,并对钯合金膜的未来研究方向进行展望。     

Investigating Membrane-Mediated Antimicrobial Peptide Interactions with Synchrotron Radiation Far-Infrared Spectroscopy

Synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy enables access to vibrational information from mid over far infrared to even terahertz domains. This information may prove critical for the elucidation of fundamental bio-molecular phenomena including folding-mediated innate host defence mechanisms. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent one of such phenomena. These are major effector molecules of the innate immune system, which favour attack on microbial membranes. AMPs recognise and bind to the membranes whereupon they assemble into pores or channels destabilising the membranes leading to cell death. However, specific molecular interactions responsible for antimicrobial activities have yet to be fully understood. Herein we probe such interactions by assessing molecular specific variations in the near-THz 400–40 cm⁻¹ range for defined helical AMP templates in reconstituted phospholipid membranes. In particular, we show that a temperature-dependent spectroscopic analysis, supported by 2D correlative tools, provides direct evidence for the membrane-induced and folding-mediated activity of AMPs. The far-FTIR study offers a direct and information-rich probe of membrane-related antimicrobial interactions.     

Surface and internal modification of composite ion exchange membranes for removal of molybdate,phosphate, and nitrate from polluted groundwater

Al₂O₃/chitosan-multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were created to increase the exchange capacity of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ion-exchange membranes. The composite membranes were made by mixing Al₂O₃ nanoparticles into the PVDF cast solution, then applying a thin coating of chitosan functionalized carbon nano tubes (Cs-MWCNTs) to the PVDF membrane surface. The structure and characteristics of the hybrid membranes were described using XRD, SEM, IR, and TG-DTA. The Al₂O₃-PVDF/Cs-MWCNTs membrane beat the other Al₂O₃-PVDF/Cs, Al₂O₃-PVDF, and PVDF membranes in terms of molybdate, phosphate, and nitrate adsorption. The removal efficiency, pH solution, adsorption capacity, and desorption process of molybdate, phosphate, and nitrate anions by Al₂O₃-PVDF and PVDF membranes were investigated. The removal effectiveness of molybdate, phosphate, and nitrate, according to the testing findings, was 94.3, 65.6, and 85.78 %, respectively. The adsorption of MoO₄^2?, PO₄^3?, and NO₃^? increased as the pH increased initially until the best adsorption was achieved, and then decreased significantly as the pH increased further. The total adsorption capabilities of MoO₄^2?, PO₄^3?, and NO₃^?for the Al₂O₃-PVDF/Cs-MWCNTs membrane were 65.50, 61.22, and 59.77 mg/g, respectively. Using regeneration and reuse experiments for the simultaneous adsorption of molybdate, phosphate, and nitrate during three consecutive cycles, the adsorption/desorption of Al₂O₃-PVDF/Cs-MWCNTs was assessed. Al₂O₃-PVDF/Cs-MWCNTs offer a lot of promise when it comes to eliminating MoO₄^2?, PO₄^3?, and NO₃^?from actual wastewater samples.     

Monitoring and Quantifying the Passive Transport of Molecules Through Patch–Clamp Suspended Real and Model Cell Membranes

Transport of active molecules across biological membranes is a central issue for the success of many pharmaceutical strategies. Herein, we combine the patch–clamp principle with amperometric detection for monitoring fluxes of redox‐tagged molecular species across a suspended membrane patched from a macrophage. Solvent‐ and protein‐free lipid bilayers (DPhPC, DOPC, DOPG) patched from single‐wall GUV have been thoroughly investigated and the corresponding fluxes measurements quantified. The quality of the patches and their proper sealing were successfully characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. This procedure appears versatile and perfectly adequate to allow the investigation of transport and quantification of the transport properties through direct measurement of the coefficients of partition and diffusion of the compound in the membrane, thus offering insight on such important biological and pharmacological issues.     

Molecular Parameters and Transmembrane Transport Mechanism of Imidazolium‐Functionalized Binols

We describe the molecular parameters governing the transmembrane activity of imidazolium‐functionalized anion transporters and present a detailed mechanistic study. These ionophores adopt a mobile‐carrier mechanism for short methyl and butyl chains, a combined mobile‐carrier/transmembrane‐pore mechanism for octyl and dodecyl chains, and form transmembrane aggregates for hexadecyl chains.