Aptamer-Modified Gold Nanochannels Membrane for Separation of β-Estradiol and Estrone

In the present work, a new method for the separation of β-estradiol and estrone by the modified gold nanochannels membrane was described. The gold nanochannels were prepared by chemical deposition of gold on polycarbonate templates membrane. The morphology of the nanochannels, characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), showed that smooth and uniform Au nanochannels were produced. After being modified with aptamer on the nanochannels membranes using a molecular self-assembly method, the nanochannels membranes facilitated the transport of β-estradiol through the membranes while the estrone was not easy to permeate. The transport behaviours of β-estradiol and estrone through the gold nanochannels modified with aptamer of β-estradiol were investigated. The results showed that the nanochannels membrane modified with β-estradiol aptamer could be used to separate β-estradiol and estrone on the basis of unique selectivity. A separation efficiency of 1.75 was obtained when the nanochannels had a pore size of 20 nm in the medium pH from 6.0 to 8.0.

Graphical AbstractThe apparatus showed principle of β-estradiol and estrone transpoting based on gold nanochannels mebrane. The membrane was mounted between two halves of a U-tube permeate cell, Tris-HCl buffer solutions containing β-estradiol or/and estrone were put into the feed cell, while the same volume of solvents as to-be-tested solutions were put into the permeate cell. The polarimeter was used to determine the flux of the molecules transported periodically.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide