Surface plasmon & visible light for polymer functionalization of mesopores and manipulation of ionic permselectivity

The near-field of surface plasmons is locally confined to nanometer dimensions. Here, we use surface plasmons to initiate polymer-functionalization of mesoporous silica films allowing subsequent ionic permselectivity gating based on polymer charge. We expect this functionalization approach to open a new dimension of functional miniaturization e.g. in nanofluidics.

Introducing nanoscaled surface morphology and percolation barrier network into mesoporous silica coatings

The advantages of surface pattern and mesoporous character of silica thin films were combined, while preserving the interconnected pore system or creating laterally separated porous volumes surrounded by nonpermeable compact zones.

A reversible molecule-gated system using mesoporous silica nanoparticles functionalized with K+-stabilized G-rich quadruplex DNA

A novel and reversible molecule-gated system consisting of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) functionalized on the pore outlets with a G-rich quadruplex DNA was designed for on-demand molecular transport.

Bimodal mesoporous silica with bottleneck pores

Partial pseudomorphic transformation of SBA-15 yields bimodal mesoporous silica with defined bottlenecks that restrict the access to the core of the particles.

Light-responsive peptide [2]rotaxanes as gatekeepers of mechanised nanocontainers

Novel mechanized silica nanoparticles incorporating a peptide-based molecular shuttle as a photo-responsive interlocked gatekeeper of nanocontainers are described including the uptake and delivery studies of a model cargo.

Molecular and supramolecular switches on mesoporous silica nanoparticles

This review summarizes the recent advances of molecular and supramolecular switches installed on mesoporous silica nanoparticles.

Tuning the aspect ratio of arrays of silica nanochannels

Arrays of silica nanochannels (ASNCs) with various nanochannel lengths and particle aspect ratios are reported.

Solvent-starved conditions in confinement cause chemical oscillations excited by passage of a cathodic delamination front

In situand operando Raman spectroscopy shows oscillations in pH during delamination of a polymer coating.