Grafting in confined spaces: Functionalization of nanochannels of track-etched membranes

• The current developments in grafted track-etched membranes were discussed.
• The reader was directed to the most recent selected literature on this subject.
• The unique benefits of incorporation of grafting by CRP methods have been emphasized.
• Examples are given for biotechnology, energy and environmental applications.

Developments in the field of membrane science and specialty applications have given rise to track-etched membranes with nanochannels having broad ranges of functionality and versatile opportunities. This review is a compilation of the recent progress in methods and applications of grafting inside confined spaces in nanoscale. The emphasis has been made on functionalization of nanochannels of track-etched membranes. Selected current literature on track-etched membranes having nanochannels grafted with various polymers has been reviewed in terms of potential applications of the resulting membrane in the fields of biotechnology, energy and environment.