title: Development of a biomimetic nanoporous membrane for the selective transport of charged proteins.
abstract: We report the use of a micrometer-thick platinum-coated nanoporous membrane for the separation of differently charged proteins. A high field strength of about 25 kV m(-1) was applied, using very low transmembrane potentials of +/-1.5 V between the platinum-coated membranes. The system mimics the cell membrane function of facilitated transport for specific solutes. The selectivity for Lys:BSA:Mb in a mixed protein solution could be tuned readily between the flux ratios of 2:2:1 and 96:1:12 respectively, by simple variation of the transmembrane potentials from +1.5 V to -1.5 V. The experimental fluxes agreed closely with calculated fluxes derived from a simple electrophoresis-potential shielding model at favourable transmembrane potentials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543.
authors.forename: Binh T T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Eugene Zhi Chao
authors.initials: EZ
authors.lastname: Ting
authors.forename: Chee-Seng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Toh
mesh_terms: D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D004058:Diffusion; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D010984:Platinum / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D055672:Static Electricity
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011506:Proteins; D010984:Platinum