(720g) Creation of Strategy for Utilizing "Membrane Field" Toward New Development of Bio-Inspired Chemical Engineering

The key to the specific functions (e.g., chiral recognition, separation, and transformation) induced by the "membrane field" is the precise control of molecular order at the interface of heterogeneous systems.
This will lead to an innovation from the conventional separation/reaction process to the molecular recognition/conversion process with high selectivity using common functional molecules.
So far, the authors have accumulated "Theories of self-assembled systems" using our original methods. Based on this, we will explore the possibility of inducing and controlling molecular separation and alkylation reactions by highly controlling the molecular orientation of amphiphilic molecules at (1) liquid-liquid, (2) liquid-solid, and (3) gas-liquid-solid interfaces. Finally, we will clarify the guideline for the development of process modules that optimize the "molecular order at the interface of heterogeneous phase systems.

(1) In the liquid-liquid system, the separation system is basically a combination of organic solvent and water, such as chloroform/methanol/water system or ionic liquid/water system. Under the condition that the area of the self-assembled membrane (monolayer) is equal to the interfacial area of the liquid-liquid interface, The orientation and order of the amphiphilic molecules at the interface are highly controlled, and the mass transfer is achieved through the stirring of both phases in the bulk.
(2) In the solid-liquid system, two types of gel particles were examined as a model. For Cryogel/particles, we have the technology to prepare highly lipophilic carrier particles such as polystyrene and polyNIPAM. The self-assembled membrane was modified by changing the porosity to control the solid-liquid interface area. Furthermore, in the case of Cubosomal gels, that is constructed by lipid molecules, the material itself has a bicontinuous structure of the self-assembled membrane interface, so that a heterogeneous interface with a modified monolayer is already formed at the preparation stage of Cubosomal gels. Therefore, the interfacial properties are controlled by mixing the gel components (Building Block molecules) into the initial solution.