Gold nanotube membranes functionalised with fluorinated thiols for selective molecular transport

Gold nanotube membranes were prepared by electroless deposition of gold within the pores of polycarbonate track-etched membranes. This approach provides control over the pore size of the membrane, with pore sizes being reduced to molecular dimensions. The effect of the surface chemistry on the transport properties of these gold nanotube membranes has been explored through functionalisation with self-assembled monolayers. The transport properties and the selectivity of fluoro-derivatised membranes (1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecanethiol) towards hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules was compared with a membrane modified with an analogous alkanethiol; 1-decanethiol.