1.D.219. The Bionic Ion Pair Receptor Nanochannel (BIPR-NC) Family
Inspired by ion pair cotransport channels in biological systems, a bionic nanochannel modified with lithium ion pair receptors was constructed for selective transport and enrichment of lithium ions (Li+) (Li et al. 2023). NH2-pillar[5]arene (NP5) was chosen as an ion pair receptor, and the theoretical simulation and NMR titration experiments illustrated that NP5 has good affinity for the ion pair of LiCl through a strong host-guest interaction at the molecular level. Due to the confinement effect and ion pair cooperation recognition, an NP5-based receptor was introduced into an artificial PET nanochannel. An I-V test indicated that the NP5 channel realized the highly selective recognition for Li+. Transmembrane transport and COMSOL simulation experiments showed that the NP5 channel achieved the transport and enrichment of Li+ through the cooperative interaction between NP5 and LiCl. The receptor solution of the transmembrane transport of LiCl in the NP5 channel was used to cultivate wheat seedlings, which promoted their growth. This nanochannel based on the ion pair recognition may be useful for practical applications like metal ion extraction, enrichment, and recycle (Li et al. 2023).