To achieve complex nanopore function and especially transport design we independently tune nanopore structure, its functionalization and architecture.
a) Membrane architecture
Membrane architecture and porous material structure is a critical parameter to control pressure-free transport and relates as well to local functionalization and step gradient formation. For example, the combination of porous layers with different charge or wettability influences the observed ionic or fluid transport. Innovative strategies for layer selective functionalization in multilayer systems are investigated. In addition, the reproducibility and automation of structural hierarchy fabrication remains a performance limiting factor, for example in chromatography. In this context we investigate the combination of 3D-printing together with self-assembly processes.
Currently involved team members: L. Balonier, S. Puthenpurackal
Formerly involved team members: M. Stanzel, L. Despot, M. Kremer, D. Spiehl, L. Zhao
Johanna Gluns, Lucy Zhao, Dieter Spiehl, Joanna J. Mikolei, Raheleh Pardehkhorram, Marcelo Ceolin, and Annette Andrieu-Brunsen, 3D Printing of Ordered Mesoporous Silica Using Light-Induced Sol-Gel Chemistry, Advanced Functional Materials, 2024, 2405511.
Lucy Zhao, Joanna J. Mikolei, Marcelo Ceolin, Raheleh Pardehkhorram, Laura Czerwenka, Annette Andrieu-Brunsen, PEO-b-PNBA in-situ functionalized mesoporous silica films and their light- and pH-controlled ionic mesopore accessibility, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 2024, 112923.
M. Stanzel, U. Kunz, A. Andrieu-Brunsen, Layer-selective functionalisation in mesoporous double layer via iniferter initiated polymerisation for nanoscale step gradient formation, European Poly. J., 2021, 156, 110604.
N. Herzog, R. Brilmayer, M. Stanzel, A. Kalyta, D. Spiehl, E. Doersam, C. Hess, A. Andrieu-Brunsen, Gravure Printing for Mesoporous Film Preparation, RSC Adv., 2019, 9, 23570 – 23578.
b) The role of nanopores in hierarchial material performance
Paper is a complex and strongly hierarchical material. Especially the role of fiber nanoporosity on paper performance is not well understood and challenging to control within the paper fabrication process. We use our expertise in the field of nanoporous material fabrication to design and investigate the effect of hierarchical matrix and spatially confined nanopores on paper performance. Together with the paper design expertise of the research group around Prof. M. Biesalski we designed fluid stop barriers fully based with itself hydrophilic materials exclusively by controlling silica deposition, nanopore presence and paper cellulose fiber composition. We advanced the understanding of cellulose-fiber influence on silica formation in paper and cotton threads. In collaboration with the group of Prof. Schabel we demonstrated the 3D printing of silica-functionalized cellulose fibers.
Currently involved team members: N. Jha, CeraSleeve: M. Stanzel, N. Herzog, A. Coreth
Formerly involved team members: J. Mikolai
Joanna J. Mikolei, Markus Biesalski, Marcelo Ceolin & Annette Andrieu-Brunsen, Local water management in cotton linter papers with silica-based coatings, Cellulose, 2024, 31, 5855–5868.
Joanna Judith Mikolei, Christiane Helbrecht, Janine Christin Pleitner, Mathias Stanzel, Raheleh Pardehkhorram, Markus Biesalski, Samuel Schabel and Annette Andrieu-Brunsen, Single-fibre coating and additive manufacturing of multifunctional papers, RSC Adv., 2024, 14, 14161-14169.
J. J. Mikolei, D. Richter, R. Pardehkhorram, C. Helbrecht, S. Schabel,T. Meckel, M. Biesalski, M. Ceolind and A. Andrieu-Brunsen, Nanoscale pores introduced into paper via mesoporous silica coatings using sol–gel chemistry, Nanoscale, 2023, 15, 90949105.
M. Nau & N. Herzog, J. Schmidt, T. Meckel, A. Andrieu-Brunsen & M. Biesalski , Janus‐Type Hybrid Paper Membranes, Adv. Mater. Interf., 2019, 6, 1900892.
C. Dubois, N. Herzog, C. Rüttiger, A. Geissler, E. Grange, U. Kunz, H.-J. Kleebe, M. Biesalski, T. Meckel, T. Gutmann, M. Gallei, A. Andrieu-Brunsen, Fluid Flow Programming in Paper-Derived Silica-Polymer Hybrids, Langmuir, 2017, 33, 332-339.
Nau, Herzog, Andrieu-Brunsen, Biesalski DE 102018124255.7, 2018.