Templated Nanotubes in Chemical and Bio Separations and Analyses
Charles R. Martin*
Department of Chemistry, Center for Research at the Bio/Nano Interface, University of Florida,
Gainesville, FL 32611-7200 USA
This is an abstract
for a presentation given at the
Ninth
Foresight Conference on Molecular Nanotechnology.
There will be a link from here to the full article when it is
available on the web.
We have been investigating a versatile method for preparing nanomaterials called template synthesis. This method entails using the pores in a microporous membrane or other solid as templates to prepare, typically, nanowires and hollow nanotubes. Nanostructures of this type composed of metals, semiconductors, other inorganic materials, polymers and carbons have been prepared. We have shown that membranes containing gold nanotubes with inside diameters of molecular dimensions can be prepared via the template method. These Au nanotube membranes can be used as size-selective molecular filters for chemical and bioseparations. We are especially interested in using these nanotube membranes for protein separations. In addition, the nanotube membranes can form the basis for new types of highly sensitive chemical and biosensors. Immobilization of biochemical molecular recognition agents (e.g., proteins, DNA) within the nanotubes is being investigated as a general method for making highly selective biosensors of this type.
*Corresponding Address:
Charles R. Martin
Department of Chemistry, Center for Research at the Bio/Nano Interface, University of Florida
Box 117200, Gainesville, FL 32611-7200 USA
Phone: 352 392 7522
Fax: 352 392 4651
Email: crmartin@chem.ufl.edu
http://www.chem.ufl.edu/~crmartin/
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