title: Adaptive pores: charge transfer modules as supramolecular handles for reversible pore engineering of mesoporous silica.
abstract: We introduce a non-covalent pore engineering approach to achieve exceptional reversibility of functionalization in SBA-15 through viologen-pyranine charge transfer (CT) modules. By employing alkyl derivatives of pyranine as donors, we could exploit the strong CT interactions between pyranine and viologen to reversibly modify the pore size and philicity. The fast binding of the donors enables quick and facile functionalization within minutes at room temperature. The modularity of the approach enables modification of pores with custom-designed compositions, components, and functions. The high selectivity exhibited by viologen on the pore wall facilitated its use in a CT affinity column.
authors.affiliation: Nanomaterials and Catalysis Lab, Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur P.O., Bangalore 560064, India.
authors.forename: B V V S Pavan
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: K Venkata
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Soumya
authors.forename: Subi J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eswaramoorthy
mesh_terms: D004579:Electron Transport; D004738:Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D016062:Porosity; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D012822:Silicon Dioxide