Molecule-Sized Gates Based on Surface-Confined Dendrimers

摘要

In this report we demonstrate for the first time that surface confined-dendrimersembedded within self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkylthiols can act as ion gates of molecular dimension. These composite organic thin films are conceptually, structurally, and chemically very similar to the membrane/protein composites found in nature. The key findings of this paper are that dendrimers can be well sealed within self-assembled alkylthiol monolayers and that as a function of the chemical state of the dendrimer, probe molecules can selectively and fully penetrate the dendrimer interior, exchange electrons within the dendrimer, and then diffuse back into the bulk solution. Molecular systems such as these are relevant for applications in electrocatalysis, chemical sensing, and separations.