Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Contents

Preface

Part 1: Sensing Materials for Smart Membranes

1 Interfaces Based on Carbon Nanotubes, Ionic Liquids and Polymer Matrices for Sensing and Membrane Separation Applications

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Ionic Liquid-Carbon Nanotubes Composites for Sensing Interfaces

1.3 Ionic Liquid Interfaces for Detection and Separation of Gases and Solvents

1.4 Ionic Liquid-Polymer Interfaces for Membrane Separation Processes

1.5 Conclusions

Acknowledgement

References

2 Photo-Responsive Hydrogels for Adaptive Membranes

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Photo-Responsive Hydrogel Membranes

2.2.1 Photo-Responsive Moiety: Cinnamylidene

2.2.2 Photo-Responsive Moiety: Triphenylmethane Leuco Derivatives

2.2.3 Photo-Responsive Moiety: Azobenzene

2.2.4 Photo-Responsive Moiety: Spirobenzopyran

2.2.5 A Comparative Example Of Different Chromophores

2.3 Photo-Thermally Responsive Hydrogel Membranes

2.3.1 Optical absorber: Gold Nanoparticles

2.3.2 Optical Absorber: Graphene Oxide

2.4 Summary

2.5 Acknowledgements

Abbreviations

References

3 Smart Vesicles: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Synthesis of Soft Vesicles

3.2.1 Self–assembly into Vesicles

3.2.2 Liposomes

3.2.3 Polymersomes

3.2.4 Vesicles based on Small Molecules

3.2.5 Direct Synthesis

3.3 Synthesis of Hard Vesicles

3.3.1 “Soft” Templates for the Synthesis of Hard Vesicles

3.3.2 Hollow Silica Spheres

3.4 Characterization of Vesicular Structures

3.4.1 Microscopy

3.4.2 Scattering

3.5 Stimuli–Responsive Behaviors of Vesicular Structures

3.5.1 Thermo–Responsive Vesicles

3.5.2 pH–Responsive Vesicles

3.5.3 Others

3.6 Application of Vesicles

3.6.1 Molecular Separation by Vesicles

3.6.2 Chemical Sensors

3.6.3 Nanoreactors and Microreactors

3.6.4 Catalysts

3.6.5 Drug Delivery Vehicles

3.7 Conclusions

Acknowledgment

References

Part 2: Stimuli-Responsive Interfaces

4 Computational Modeling of Sensing Membranes and Supramolecular Interactions

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Non-covalent Interactions: A Physical and a Chemical View

4.3 Physical Interactions

4.4 Chemical Interactions

4.5 Computational Methods for Supramolecular Interactions

4.6 Classical Force Fields

4.7 Conclusions

References

5 Sensing Techniques Involving Thin Films for Studying Biomolecular Interactions and Membrane Fouling Phenomena

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation Monitoring (QCM-D)

5.3 Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)

5.4 Applications of SPR and QCM-D

5.5 Conclusions

Acknowledgements

References

6 Smart Membrane Surfaces: Wettability Amplification and Self-Healing

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Basics of surface wettability

6.3 Amplified Wettability

6.4 Actuation Mechanisms

6.4.1 Electrical Switching

6.4.2 Light-Driven Switching

6.4.3 Thermal Switching

6.4.4 pH-Driven Switching

6.4.5 Molecular Switching

6.4.6 Mechanical switching

6.5 Self-Powered Liquid Motion

6.6 Self-Cleaning Mechanisms

6.6.1 Droplet Roll-Off On Superhydrophobic Surfaces

6.6.2 Photocatalysis For Self-Cleaning Surfaces

6.7 Self-Healing Concepts And Strategies

6.8 Repairable Surface Properties

6.8.1 Restoring Surface Superhydrophobicity

6.8.2 Self-Healing for Durable Anti-Fouling Properties

6.9 Conclusions and Perspectives

References

7 Model Bio-Membranes Investigated by AFM and AFS: A Suitable Tool to Unravel Lipid Organization and their Interaction with Proteins

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Supported Lipid Bilayers

7.2.1 Preparation Techniques

7.2.2 Chemical-Physical Properties of Supported Lipid Bilayers

7.2.3 Transmembrane Protein Inclusion

7.3 Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Phase Behavior of Slbs

7.3.1 Transitions Induced by Temperature

7.3.2 Transitions Induced by pH

7.4 Atomic Force Spectroscopy (AFS) of Supported Lipid Bilayers

7.4.1 Mechanical Moduli Studied by AFS

7.4.2 Energy Landscape of Lipid Bilayer Breakthrough and Comparison with Lipid Pore Formation

7.5 Lipid/Protein Interactions

7.5.1 Protein Partitioning in Membrane Domains

7.5.2 Functional Relevance of Partitioning

7.6 Conclusions

References

Part 3: Directed Molecular Separation

8 Self-Assembled Nanoporous Membranes for Controlled Drug Release and Bioseparation

8.1 Introduction

8.2 General Aspects of Block Copolymer Self-Assembly

8.3 Block Copolymer Based Membranes

8.4 Fabrication of Nanoporous Membranes Derived from Block Copolymers

8.4.1 Structure of Nanoporous Membranes: Composite and Stand-alone Membranes

8.4.2 Controlling Ordering and Orientation in Block Copolymer Derived Membranes

8.4.3 Pore Generation in Nanostructured Polymer Films

8.5 Tunability of Surface Properties

8.6 Application of Block Copolymer Derived Membranes to Bioseparation and Controlled Drug Release

8.7 Conclusion

References

Abbreviations

9 Hybrid Mesoporous Silica for Drug Targeting

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Synthesis and Characterization of Bifunctional Hybrid Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Potentially Useful for Drug Targeting

9.3 Drug-Loaded Folic-Acid-Grafted Msns Specifically Target FR Expressing Tumour Cells [16]

9.4 Conclusion

References

10 Molecular Recognition-driven Membrane Processes

10.1 Molecular Imprinting Technique

10.1.1 Molecularly Imprinted Membranes (MIMs)

10.1.2 MIMs Preparation: Methods And Materials

10.1.3 Application Of MIMs

10.2 Affinity Membranes

10.2.1 Preparation Of Affinity Membranes

10.2.2 Affinity Membranes For Chiral Separation

10.2.3 Affinity Membranes For Protein Separation

10.3 Cyclodextrins As Molecular Recognition Elements

10.4 Zeolite Membranes as Molecular Recognition Devices: Preparation and Characterization

10.4.1 Zeolite Membranes In Pharmaceutical Field

10.4.2 Zeolite: Materials For Sensors

10.5 Functionalized Particles-loaded Membranes For Selective Separation Based On Molecular Recognition

10.6 Biphasic Enzyme Membrane Systems with Enantioselective Recognition Properties ror Kinetic Resolution

10.7 Membrane Surface Modification

10.7.1 Coating

10.7.2 Self-assembly

10.7.3 Chemical Treatment

10.7.4 Plasma Treatment

10.7.5 Graft Polymerization

References

Part 4: Membrane Sensors and Challenged Applications

11 Electrospun Membranes for Sensors Applications

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Basic Principles of Electrospinning

11.3 Control of the Electrospinning Process

11.3.1 Fibers Morphology and Diameter

11.3.2 Fibers Arrangement, Composition and Secondary Structure

11.4 Application of Electrospun Materials to Ultrasensitive Sensors

11.4.1 Metal-Oxide-Based Resistive Sensors

11.4.2 Conducting Polymer Based Resistive Sensors

11.4.3 Optical Sensors

11.4.4 Acoustic Wave Sensors

11.4.5 Amperometric Biosensors

11.5 Conclusions

Abbreviations

References

12 Smart Sensing Scaffolds

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Composite Sensing Biomaterial Preparation

12.3 Composite Sensing Biomaterial Characterisation

12.4 SWNTs-Based Composite Films Structural Properties

12.5 Tensile Properties of SWNTs-Based Composite Films

12.6 Electrical Properties of SWNTs-Based Composites Films

12.7 Electromechanical Characterisation and Strain-Dependence Measurement

12.8 Cell Sensing Scaffolds

12.8.1 Preparation

12.8.3 Cell Testing

12.8.4 Membrane impedance measurement

12.8.5 Modelling Sensing Scaffold

12.9 Processing of CNT Composite: Microfabrication of Sensing Scaffold

12.10 Conclusions

References

13 Nanostructured Sensing Emulsion Droplets and Particles: Properties and Formulation by Membrane Emulsification

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Emulsions and Emulsification Methods

13.2.1 Rotor-stator Systems

13.2.2 High-pressure Homogenizer

13.2.3 Ultrasonication

13.2.4 Membrane Emulsification

13.2.5 Membrane Parameters

13.2.6 Phase Parameters

13.2.7 Process Parameters in Dynamic Membrane Emulsification

13.2.8 Membrane Emulsifications Devices

13.2.9 Material nature and sensing properties

13.2.10 Temperature and pH responsive-materials

13.2.11 Physical Sensitive Material (Light, Magnetic and Electrical Field)

13.2.12 Biochemical Responsive Materials

13.2.13 Phase Change Material (PCM)

13.3 Senging Particles Produced by Membrane-Based Process

13.3.1 Temperature and pH Responsive-materials

13.3.2 Biochemical Responsive Materials

13.3.3 Physical Sensitive Material

13.3.4 Molecular Imprinting

13.4 Conclusions

References

14 Membranes for Ultra-Smart Textiles

14.1 Introduction

14.2 Membranes and Comfort

14.2.1 Breathable Membranes

14.2.2 Membranes as Heat Exchangers

14.3 Adaptive Membranes for Smart Textiles

14.3.1 Shape Memory-based Membranes

14.3.2 Responsive Gel-based Membranes

14.3.3 Phase Changing Materials (PCMs) in Membranes

14.3.4 Photochromic Compounds for Smart Membranes

14.4 Barrier Functions of Membranes

14.4.1 Waterproof Function

14.4.2 Antibacterial Action

14.4.3 Scents Release and Superabsorbent Action

14.4.4 Warfare Agent Defense

14.5 Membrane Materials for Self-cleaning Function

14.6 Interactive Membranes for Wearable Electronics

14.7 Conclusions and Prospects

References

INDEX

EULA