Dye-sensitized TiO2 nanotube membranes act as a visible-light switchable diffusion gate

Hwang I, Riboni F, Gongadze E, Iglič A, Yoo JE, So S, Mazare AV, Schmuki P (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Nanoscale Advances Royal Society of Chemistry

Book Volume: 1

Pages Range: 4844-4852

Journal Issue: 12

DOI: 10.1039/c9na00480g

Abstract

Here we report that both-end open anodic TiO2 nanotube membranes, after sensitization with a Ru(ii)-based dye, exhibit visible-light switching properties for flow-through the nanotube channels. Under illumination, the gate is in an open state providing ∼four-times faster permeation of small molecules through the membrane compared to a dark state. Switching is reversible with no apparent dye degradation being observed. Gating is possible not only of permeating dye molecules but also of nanoprobes such as polystyrene nanospheres. Supported by quantitative modelling, we attribute the switching mechanism to light-induced changes of the charge distribution at the dye/TiO2 interface which in turn alters the hydrodynamics within the anodic tube membranes. This demonstrates that these simple dye-sensitized nanotube membranes can be used as an optically addressable flow-through gate in nanofluidics.

Authors with CRIS profile

Imgon Hwang Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Korrosion und Oberflächentechnik) Francesca Riboni Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Korrosion und Oberflächentechnik) Jeong Eun Yoo Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Korrosion und Oberflächentechnik) Seulgi So Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Korrosion und Oberflächentechnik) Anca Valentina Mazare Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Korrosion und Oberflächentechnik) Patrik Schmuki Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Korrosion und Oberflächentechnik)

Involved external institutions

University of Ljubljana (UL) / Univerza v Ljubljani SI Slovenia (SI)

How to cite

APA:

Hwang, I., Riboni, F., Gongadze, E., Iglič, A., Yoo, J.E., So, S.,... Schmuki, P. (2019). Dye-sensitized TiO2 nanotube membranes act as a visible-light switchable diffusion gate. Nanoscale Advances, 1(12), 4844-4852. https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c9na00480g

MLA:

Hwang, Imgon, et al. "Dye-sensitized TiO2 nanotube membranes act as a visible-light switchable diffusion gate." Nanoscale Advances 1.12 (2019): 4844-4852.

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