Chemically Modified Nanoporous Opal Membranes

Description
Nanoporous opal membranes are assembled from SiO2 spheres and are chemically modified on the silica surface. The chemically modified opal membranes demonstrate high molecular throughput and selectively block transport of a charged species. This permselective behavior is attributed to the electrostatic interactions that are enhanced by the tortuous pathway within the opal and by the high surface area of the chemically modified spheres.

Caption
SEM images of the chemically modified opal prepared from 440 nm diameter silica spheres deposited (A) on the electrode, top view (size bar = 4 mm); and (B) on a glass slide under the same conditions, side view (size bar = 2 mm). The geometric projection of a pore observed from the (111) plane is outlined in the inset in (A).

Implications
Potential applications include chemical separations, sensors and drug-release devices.

Research Group Contacts
Professors Ilya Zharov http://www.chem.utah.edu/chemistry/faculty/zharov and Henry S. White http://www.chem.utah.edu/chemistry/faculty/white, Chemistry Department

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