A biomimetic principle for the chemical modification of metal surfaces: synthesis of tripodal catecholates as analogues of siderophores and mussel adhesion proteins.

By following a biomimetic design principle, tetravalent scaffolds based on an adamantyl and trisalkylmethyl core structure have been synthesized. These scaffolds have been coupled to three catecholamines, thus resembling the characteristic tripodal recognition motif of many natural metal binders, such as mussel adhesion proteins and siderophores, for example, enterobactin. Besides this tripodal recognition element, our scaffolds provide a fourth position for the conjugation of effector molecules.

The effect of hydrothermal treatment on column performance for monolithic silica capillary columns.

Monolithic silica capillary columns with i.d. 100 μm and monolithic silica rods were prepared with tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) or a mixture of TMOS and metyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) using different hydrothermal treatments at T=80 °C or 120 °C.

Metal-organic framework nanofibers via electrospinning.

A hierarchical system of highly porous nanofibers has been prepared by electrospinning MOF (metal-organic framework) nanoparticles with suitable carrier polymers. Nitrogen adsorption proved the MOF nanoparticles to be fully accessible inside the polymeric fibers.