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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Synthesis and Characterization of Supramolecular Colloids
Published on: April 22, 2016
Supramolecular Switching of Ion-Transport in Nanochannels
B V V S Pavan Kumar1, K P Sonu1, K Venkata Rao2
1Nanomaterials and Catalysis lab, Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit, School of Advanced Materials (SAMat) , Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) , Jakkur P.O, Bangalore 560064 , India.
Abstract:
Noncovalent approaches to achieve smart ion-transport regulation in artificial nanochannels have garnered significant interest in the recent years because of their advantages over conventional covalent routes. Herein, we demonstrate a simple and generic approach to control the surface charge in mesoporous silica nanochannels by employing π-electron-rich charged motifs (pyranine-based donors) to interact with the surface of mesoporous silica modified with π-electron-deficient motifs (viologen-based acceptors) through a range of noncovalent forces, namely, charge-transfer, electrostatic, and hydrophobic interactions. The extent of each of these interactions was independently controlled by molecular design and pH, while employing them in a synergistic or antagonistic fashion to modulate the binding affinity of the charged motifs. This enabled the precise control of the surface charge of the nanochannels to achieve multiple ion-transport states.
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