Biological channels have fundamental roles in the metabolism of organisms by precisely regulating the transport of molecules and ions, which is necessary to maintain the normal activity of the living body. [1,2] A typical example of biological channelrhodopsins that serve as sensory photoreceptors would function as a signal transmission medium. [1] Inspired by biological channels, scientists have built various artificial solid Light stimuli have notable advantages over other environmental stimuli, such as more precise spatial and temporal regulation, and the ability to serve as an energy source to power the system. In nature, photoresponsive nanochannels are important components of organisms, with examples including the rhodopsin channels in optic nerve cells and photoresponsive protein channels in the photosynthesis system of plants. Inspired by biological channels, scientists have constructed various photoresponsive, smart solidstate nanochannels membranes for a range of applications. In this review, the methods and applications of photosensitive nanochannels membranes are summarized. The authors believe that this review will inspire researchers to further develop multifunctional artificial nanochannels for applications in the fields of biosensors, stimuli-responsive smart devices, and nanofluidic devices, among others.
In industrial production, the continuous, efficient and energy‐saving separation of alkylaromatic compounds has always been a challenge. Herein, we designed and synthesized the functional pillararene (TP5A) via a thiol‐alkene click reaction. We modified TP5A molecules into the surface of anodic aluminum oxide nanochannels via a simple two‐step condensation reaction for fabricating TP5A channel, confirming by the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact angle, laser scanning confocal microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and current‐voltage curves. This biomimetic nanochannels can be used to separate para‐xylene from its structural isomers. We speculate that the host‐guest interaction between TP5A and para‐xylene is responsible for the emergence of selectivity, confirmed by the molecular simulation. This study provides a potential approach to membrane separation and may also contribute to the development of artificial nanofluids.
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