Supramolecular Nanopumps with Chiral Recognition for Moving Organic Pollutants from Water
writer：Sihan Bao, Shanshan Wu, Liping Huang, Xin Xu, Rui Xu, Myongsoo Lee, Zhegang Huang*
keywords：supramolecular nanopumps, dynamic assembly, pH-responsive nanodevices, supramolecular absorbents, chiral recognition
source：期刊
specific source：ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces
Issue time：2019年
Since organic pollutants in water resources have raised concerns on aquatic ecosystems and human health, mechanical machines such as a nanopump for rapid and efficient removal of pollutants from water with regeneration properties remains a challenge.Here, a pH responsive artificial pump from left-handed porous tubules into right-handed solid fibers was presented by the self-assembly of bent-shaped aromatic amphiphiles. The bent-shaped amphiphile with a pH-sensitive segment was demonstrated in aromatic hexameric macrocycles, which could contract into dimeric disks. Such a switchable aromatic pore with superhydrophobicity was well-suited for an efficient removal and controlled release of organic pollutants from water through pulsating motion. The removal efficiency is found to be 78% for ethinyloestradiol and 82% for bisphenol. Additionally, the pumping accompanied by chiral inversion was endowed with a rapid removal and convenient regenerable ability. The inflation from right-handed solid fibers into left-handed tubules for
efficient removal pollutants was remarkably promoted by (-)-acidic enantiomer of malic acid, whereas the contraction with full desorption of pollutants was incisively responsive to alkaline with (+)-conformation. The kinetically regulable porous device with a chiral recognition will provide a promising platform for the construction of rapid responsible machine for sewage treatment.