Covalent organic framework nanofluidic membrane as a platform for highly sensitive bionic thermosensation

Abstract

Thermal sensation, which is the conversion of a temperature stimulus into a biological response, is the basis of the fundamental physiological processes that occur ubiquitously in all organisms from bacteria to mammals. Significant efforts have been devoted to fabricating artificial membranes that can mimic the delicate functions of nature; however, the design of a bionic thermometer remains in its infancy. Herein, we report a nanofluidic membrane based on an ionic covalent organic framework (COF) that is capable of intelligently monitoring temperature variations and expressing it in the form of continuous potential differences. The high density of the charged sites present in the sub-nanochannels renders superior permselectivity to the resulting nanofluidic system, leading to a high thermosensation sensitivity of 1.27 mV K−1, thereby outperforming any known natural system. The potential applicability of the developed system is illustrated by its excellent tolerance toward a broad range of salt concentrations, wide working temperatures, synchronous response to temperature stimulation, and long-term ultrastability. Therefore, our study pioneers a way to explore COFs for mimicking the sophisticated signaling system observed in the nature.

Emerging porous organic polymers for biomedical applications

“…163 Zhang et al reported an iCOF-based nanofluidic membrane that is capable of intelligently monitoring temperature variations and can function as a platform for highly sensitive bionic thermosensation. 282 Zhou et al reported a ferrocene-functionalized COF and further loaded with glutathione peroxidase 4 inhibitor for enhancing chemodynamic therapy via redox dyshomeostasis. 283 These exciting results further expand the biomedical applications and suggest the great potential of POPs for many novel biomedical applications.…”

Recent Progress on Two-Dimensional Materials

“…8a). Since the first COF appeared in year 2005 325 , a large number of 2D/3D COFs materials have been designed and synthesized for broad applications in gas storage and separation 326,327 , drug delivery 328,329 , catalysis [330][331][332] , photoelectronic devices 333,334 , supercapacitors 335,336 , and batteries [337][338][339] . Normally, 2D COFs can be prepared through the polycondensation reactions or coupling reactions, and their structures are confirmed through the structural simulation together with the powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) pattern matching.…”

Angstrom-scale ion channels towards single-ion selectivity

“…Angstrom-sized ion channel devices/membranes were also fabricated by confined growth of zinc nitrate hydroxide and DA18C6-nitrate crystals into single glass nanopores, 132 growth of covalent organic framework membranes on nanoporous supports, 133 and liquid-crystalline nanostructured membranes. 134 Solid confinement conversion methods were developed to fabricate functional and angstrom-porous PSS@CuBTC 135 and DNA@-ZIF-8 136 (Fig.…”