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Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Preparation of Functional Silica Using a Bioinspired Method
Published on: August 1, 2018
Bioinspired smart asymmetric nanochannel membranes
Zhen Zhang1, Liping Wen, Lei Jiang
1Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Green Printing, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China.
Bioinspired smart asymmetric nanochannel membranes (BSANM) mimic biological systems for advanced ionic transport. This review overviews BSANM development, construction, properties, and applications in energy and sensing.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomimetic Systems
Background:
- Bioinspired smart asymmetric nanochannel membranes (BSANM) are abiotic systems designed to replicate the ionic transport functions of living organisms.
- These membranes offer enhanced stability and robustness compared to biological counterparts, opening avenues for diverse applications.
- Significant research in BSANM over the past decade necessitates a comprehensive overview.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the advancements in bioinspired smart asymmetric nanochannel membranes (BSANM) since 2010.
- To provide a knowledge base for the scientific community on BSANM design, properties, and applications.
- To propose a generic strategy for BSANM design and construction.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature published since 2010 focusing on BSANM.
- Categorization of construction methodologies based on raw material dimensions (0D, 1D, 2D, bulk).
- Analysis of design strategies from homogeneous to heterogeneous nanochannel membranes.
Main Results:
- Discussion of BSANM construction using diverse material dimensions.
- Introduction to key properties: selectivity, gating, and rectification, linked to structural features.
- Summary of applications in energy conversion and biochemical sensing.
Conclusions:
- BSANM represent a promising abiotic platform for ionic transport.
- The review highlights the evolution from homogeneous to heterogeneous nanochannel designs.
- Future directions for BSANM development are briefly discussed.
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