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Chirality-Induced Split Personality in Polymer with Intrinsic Microporosity-Based Artificial Ion Channels
Fei Gou1, Zihong Yang1, Qiuting Wang1
1College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350116, China.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|September 15, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed novel chiral polymers for artificial ion channels. These polymers show tunable ion transport, with one type excelling in lithium transport and others in anion transport, advancing membrane science.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Membrane Transport
- Materials Chemistry
Background:
- Artificial transmembrane ion channels are crucial for understanding and manipulating membrane transport.
- Polymers offer a versatile platform for constructing synthetic ion channels.
- Chirality in polymers can influence their self-assembly and transport properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize intrinsically microporous chiral polyimides (PIM-PIs) for artificial ion channel applications.
- To investigate the impact of different chiral building blocks on ion transport characteristics.
- To explore the potential of these chiral PIM-PIs as multifunctional artificial ion channel systems.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of chiral polyimides using trans/cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexanes (DACH) isomers.
- Characterization of polymer structures and properties.
- Measurement of ion transport activity and selectivity across membranes.
Main Results:
- Chiral polymer 1 (cis-DACH derived) exhibited high Li+ transport activity (>100 pS) and selectivity for Li+/Na+ (17.1) and Li+/K+ (21.8).
- Chiral polymers 2a and 2b ((1R,2R)-DACH and (1S,2S)-DACH derived) showed significant anion transport, with a high Cl-/K+ selectivity ratio of 17.6.
- The study demonstrated a "split personality" in ion transport behavior controlled by the polymer's chiral constituents.
Conclusions:
- Introduced a novel class of multifunctional, chiral PIM-based artificial ion channels.
- Demonstrated the first application of chiral polymers in transmembrane transport.
- Highlighted the potential for designing advanced polymer-based artificial ion channels by controlling chirality.
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