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Printing of In Situ Functionalized Mesoporous Silica with Digital Light Processing for Combinatorial Sensing
Lucy Zhao1, Dieter Spiehl1,2, Marion C Kohnen1
1Ernst-Berl Institut für Technische und Makromolekulare Chemie, Makromolekulare Chemie - Smart Membranes, Peter-Grünberg-Str. 8, D-64287, Darmstadt, Germany.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|February 14, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed a fast method using light-induced chemistry and digital light processing to create custom-shaped mesoporous silica. This enables simultaneous testing of more analytes for drug development and complex sensing tasks.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Mesoporous silica offers high surface area and functionalization for sensing.
- Combinatorial sensing is crucial for rapid screening in drug development.
- Integrating structural and functional control enhances sensing capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a rapid and straightforward method for producing shape-controlled mesoporous silica.
- To demonstrate shape-selective functionalization and analyte adsorption.
- To advance combinatorial sensing for complex analytical challenges.
Main Methods:
- Utilized light-induced sol-gel chemistry and digital light processing (DLP) for material synthesis.
- Produced mesoporous silica particles in various shapes and sizes (0.27–6 mm).
- Implemented both post-printing and in-situ functionalization techniques.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated mesoporous silica with controlled shapes and sizes.
- Achieved shape-selective functionalization using organosilanes or in-situ templating.
- Demonstrated shape-selective dye adsorption as a proof-of-concept for analyte screening.
Conclusions:
- Light-induced DLP is an effective method for producing architecturally controlled mesoporous silica.
- Shape-selective functionalization and adsorption are feasible, enhancing screening potential.
- This approach offers a new pathway for simultaneous, high-throughput analyte testing in drug development.
