A porous material that increases its pore size as it adsorbs certain molecules is the latest creation from researchers at the University of Liverpool, UK.
Matthew Rosseinsky and his colleagues made the material by linking zinc ions with peptide molecules. Using nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and X-ray scattering, combined with simulations, the scientists show that the peptides twist and shift to increase the pore size as small molecules, such as carbon dioxide, are taken up (pictured). This peptide twisting is similar to that which allows proteins to change shape during folding.
Such a material could have applications in storage and separation technologies.
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Materials science: Adjustable pore size. Nature 467, 9 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/467009b
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/467009b
