Ultrafast high-capacity capture and release of uranium by a light-switchable nanotextured surface

Abstract

We show here an ultrafast and highly selective uranyl capture-and-release platform based on aptamer/photoacid-modified branched silicon nanopillar arrays, allowing a high uranyl capturing capacity of 550 mg g−1.

The Dual Use of the Pyranine (HPTS) Fluorescent Probe: A Ground-State pH Indicator and an Excited-State Proton Transfer Probe

“…While in this Account we have mostly focused on the sensing of biologically relevant environments, it is important to mention that similar methodologies have been employed to sense the surfaces of nonbiological hard and soft materials via covalent functionalization of the material with pyranine. − An additional exciting avenue for the utilization of pyranine is not for (bio)­sensing but rather for light-triggered release of the proton, which already started from two of the earliest studies on pyranine showing laser-induced pH jumps of concentrated pyranine solutions . In this way, the on-demand and very fast (subnanosecond) formation of a proton next to a specific location can dynamically influence pH-sensitive processes ,− or even can serve as a protonic charge carrier in proton-conductive materials. ,− …”

Depletion of Highly Abundant Protein Species from Biosamples by the Use of a Branched Silicon Nanopillar On-Chip Platform

“…Furthermore, this BSiNP light-controlled separation device could easily be integrated with downstream analytical technologies in a single lab-on-a-chip platform, for fast and quantitative depletion of highly abundant proteins from a broad variety of liquid biosamples such as blood, serum, interstitial fluid, and saliva. 5 , 38 , 53 , 54 , 82 …”

“…An ultrahigh surface area, alongside a light-triggerable ultrafast release, allows for rapid depletion performance, together with platform reusability. Furthermore, this BSiNP light-controlled separation device could easily be integrated with downstream analytical technologies in a single lab-on-a-chip platform, for fast and quantitative depletion of highly abundant proteins from a broad variety of liquid biosamples such as blood, serum, interstitial fluid, and saliva. ,,,, …”

Excited-State Proton Transfer from Embedded Photoacids to Silanols on Mesostructured Surfaces: Role of Structural Heterogeneity

“…36−44 In addition to exploring ESPT behaviors, by attaching photoacids with proton-active groups (such as amino or DNA aptamers) on mesostructured surfaces, some specific functionalities such as nano-valves for releasing trapped molecules and light-gated ultrafast uranium capture and release were demonstrated. 45,46 Although the mechanism and application of photoacid ESPT have been widely reported, knowledge of ESPT between photoacids and silanols on mesostructured surfaces is still ambiguous, which limits the development of related functional devices. As groups inherently distributed on natural and synthetic mesostructured silica surfaces, silanols might exhibit abundant diversity of ESPT reactivity as proton acceptors due to their variable structure, basicity, and local environment in mesostructured silica.…”

“…or aprotic (DMSO, DMF, CH 3 CN, etc .) solvents has been intensively investigated for decades. − Taking advantage of the ESPT behavior of photoacids, local hydration and proton diffusion in a confined environment can be successfully probed in complicated systems on nanoscales, such as micelles, membranes, proteins, and synthetic mesoscopic structures. − In addition to exploring ESPT behaviors, by attaching photoacids with proton-active groups (such as amino or DNA aptamers) on mesostructured surfaces, some specific functionalities such as nano-valves for releasing trapped molecules and light-gated ultrafast uranium capture and release were demonstrated. , …”