β-cyclodextrin modified silica nanochannel membrane for chiral separation

•A new method for separation of chiral tryptophan.•Silica nanochannels were prepared by sol–gel template synthesis method.•The nanochannels are investigated by XPS, electrochemical and other methods.•β-CD provided a chiral environment for separation of tryptophan enantiomer.

The silica nanochannel membrane were prepared by sol–gel template synthesis method. The morphology of the nanochannels, characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope, showed that the SiO2 nanochannel wall was smooth and uniform. The characteristics of the nanochannels were investigated by the Zeta potential measurement, XPS and other methods. The inner wall of the silica nanochannels was modified with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and characterized by cyclic voltammetry and AC impedance method. The modification of β-CD provided a chiral environment for the separation of tryptophan enantiomer. The effects of pH and the pore size of the nanotubules on the separation of tryptophan enantiomers were investigated. The β-CD-modified SiO2 nanochannels was verified by the separation of chiral tryptophan.

Graphical abstractThe tryptophan enantiomers can be separated by the β-CD modified SiO2 nanochannels membrane.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (75 K)Download as PowerPoint slide