04-07-2009: Singapore's Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) has developed the first tri-continuous mesoporous material using a unique surfactant template. This completely new porous structure previously been predicted only mathematically.
In the current Nature Chemistry, the IBN scientists report that this novel material, named IBN-9 after the research institute, is the first hexagonal nanoscale construct with 3 unconnected interwoven channels. It is by far the most complex mesoporous nanostructure to have been synthesized in real-life and represents a new class of mesoporous materials, which consist of pores of 2-50 nanometers in size.
Mesoporous silica has well-defined nanochannel structures that are formed over templates via self-assembly processes. Mesoporous silica materials have huge surface areas, making them ideal for use as catalysts to facilitate chemical reactions. Their uniform nanometersized pores allow them to separate molecules by size difference. Their pores may also be used to trap drug molecules for controlled drug release. Therefore, the ability to tailor the pore structure of mesoporous material is of fundamental importance for various chemical and biological applications.
"IBN-9 demonstrates that it is possible to create three interwoven but independent pore channel systems along with a unique nano-fiber morphology," said Jackie Y. Ying, Ph.D., who led this research.
"Such a mesostructure makes distinct diffusion rates in different directions possible. This property would be very attractive for gas separation and drug delivery systems" added Dr. Ying, Executive Director of IBN, which is part of Singapore's A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research).
There has been tremendous interest about tailoring mesoporous materials with unique pore structures and pore sizes. The most complex of these were the bi-continuous structures, which contain two unconnected interwoven channels. These materials are synthesized via self-assembly of silica around surfactant templates.
IBN researchers successfully synthesized the first tri-continuous mesoporous structure by using a specially designed surfactant template, N,N-dimethyl-L-phenylalanine. This surfactant has a unique tunable head-group as well as a long hydrocarbon tail that has variable levels of hydrophobic (water-repellent) qualities. By systematically changing the synthesis conditions using this surfactant, IBN researchers are able to achieve structures with increasing mean curvatures from the bi-continuous cubic IBN-6 to the tri-continuous 3D hexagonal IBN-9, and finally to the 2D hexagonal IBN-10. The structural complexity of IBN-9 and its sister materials opens the possibility of creating even more complex multi-continuous mesostructures.
Original publications:Y. Han et al.; "A Tri-Continuous Mesoporous Material, IBN-9, with a Silica Pore Wall Following a Hexagonal Minimal Surface," Nature Chemistry 2009
S. T. Hyde and G. E. Schröder; "Novel Surfactant Mesostructural Topologies: Between Lamellae and Columnar (Hexagonal) Forms"; Current Opinion in Colloid and Interface Science, 8 (2003) 5-14
Watchlist
This is where you can add this news to your personal favourites
Huntsman Corporation announced the appointment of Jon Huntsman, Jr. as a new director to its Board of Directors effective February 1, 2012.
Jon Huntsman, Jr., age 51, most recently was a candidate for the Republican nomination for the President of the United States. He suspended his campai ... more
Solvay announced it has successfully commissioned its 1 MegaWatt (MW) industrial demonstration Fuel Cell at the SolVin plant in Lillo, Antwerp, Belgium. This Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell converts coproduced hydrogen (H2) in the plant into electricity and is now producing for wee ... more
Roquette and Rhodia Acetow have signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to develop new plant-based polymers. The JDA will enable both companies to leverage synergies bringing together respective competencies in the field of plant-based polymer chemistry.
Jean Bernard Leleu, Deputy CEO an ... more
Microwave peptide synthesis is a well-accepted technology that has been cited in over 300 publications. Microwave energy offers benefits for both the coupling and deprotection reactions during peptide synthesis more
The catalogue from Huber details the complete range of temperature control solutions from -120 to +425 °C for applications in laboratory and production more
With almost 300 pages this catalogue covers the complete range of products of SGE: GC/HPLC columns, syringes, accessories and supplies for different more
Chiral Technologies Europe offers the largest portfolio of chiral phases available: immobilised and coated polysaccharides, protein-based, crown ethers and ion-exchange columns more
ensochemLab, the well known electronic laboratory notebook software, that guarantees highest security, optimal performance, flexibility and scalability. Version 5.1 is available now more
IMCOR GmbH is a german consulting company located in Greater Stuttgart, offering specialized services in the area of LIMS (Laboratory information- and management-systems) more
Companies wishing to source or supply chemicals, primarily in the graphics, electronics, paints and coatings, polymers, fibers and adhesives industries prefer to work with DKSH’s Business Line Specialty Chemicals Industry more
A new web page from Genevac brings together the latest technological innovations, applications advances and links to references that details how new more
In 2007 an Italian customer of DKSH that produces high-tech chemistry for applications in the electronics field told us about their problems in expanding their business. While they were very successful in their home market, they had difficulties selling the same products to customers abroad more
When an opportunity arises to work with a partner to grow its business, DKSH acts fast and decisively: a business philosophy that is in everyone’s interests. Some years ago, representatives of the Otsuka Chemical Company met with DKSH specialists at a conference. We reviewed Otsuka’s produc ... more
Using eVol® for injection of different volumes of CO2, CEP/TEP was able to achieve calibration of their instrument with levels of accuracy and precision not previously obtained using manual syringes. In addition, the needles on the eVol® syringes allow for sample collection directly from th ... more
Abstract
The main objective of this research has been to study the efficiency of chitosan as an ocular drug delivery vehicle for topically applied vancomycin in rabbit eyes. Vancomycin 50 mg/mL was reconstituted in four preparations, namely: in Tears Naturale II™, in 0.9% w/v aqueous sod ... more
Paul V. Bernhardt - Volume 64(3)
Metals in biological systems was one of the major themes of the 39th International Conference on Coordination Chemistry (Adelaide, July 2010). This Research Front comprises papers from some of the leading participants in ICCC39 drawn from the 'bioinorganic ... more
Vipul Bansal, Rajesh Ramanathan, Suresh K. Bhargava - Volume 64(3)
A promising avenue of research in materials science is to follow the strategies used by nature to fabricate ornate hierarchical materials. This review outlines the biological synthesis of oxide nanomaterials achieved using ... more
Biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) is an excellent transparent flexible packaging material with good transparency, luster and moisture-resistance. It’s widely used in packaging, printing, compounds and other fields.
In 2010, China's BOPP capacity reached 3.038 million tons, up 13.3% y ... more
Introduction
GlobalData’s report, Europe Benzene Industry Outlook to 2015 - Market Size, Company Share, Price Trends, Capacity Forecasts of All Active and Planned Plants provides an in-depth coverage of Europe Benzene industry. The research presents major market trends affecting Benzene in ... more
Introduction
GlobalData’s report, North America Phenol Industry Outlook to 2015 - Market Size, Company Share, Price Trends, Capacity Forecasts of All Active and Planned Plants provides an in-depth coverage of North America Phenol industry. The research presents major market trends affectin ... more
New Businesses & Development is looking for a Marketing and Sales Manager, Biochemicals, Performance Chemicals. The main purpose of this role is to lead UPM marketing and sales operations for Performance Chemicals and to commercialize various new second generation based chemicals. Marketing ... more
The main purpose of this role is to lead UPM business development operations for Chemical Building Blocks and to commercialize various lignocellulose based chemicals. Marketing Manager, Chemical Building Blocks, will analyse various business segments, identify business opportunities, develo ... more
At Roche, about 80,000 people across 150 countries are pushing back the frontiers of healthcare.
Working together, we’ve become one of the world’s leading research-focused healthcare
groups. Our success is built on innovation, curiosity and diversity, and on seeing each other’s differences ... more
AHF analysentechnik has been founded in 1981 and is now specialized on accessories for the optical plasma emission spectrometry ans sample introduction for ICP-MS. Labware and accessories made of PFA and quartz glass for sample handling in ultra trace analysis of elements in semiconductor p ... more
Manufacturer of Liquid Handling Instruments (dispensers, burettes, manual and electronic single-/multichannel pipettes as well as manual and electronic repetitive pipettes), volumetric glassware, plasticware for Life Science (PCR, storage, HTS/ UHTS, UV-disposable cuvettes) and analysis, al ... more
BÜCHI Labortechnik is a globally operating privately held company headquartered in Switzerland. Founded 1939 as a glass blowing workshop BÜCHI is offering laboratory equipment, analytical systems and NIR technology. Since 1978 the German BÜCHI Labortechnik GmbH serves its customers and lab ... more