How a polymer filling enhances the rate and selectivity of colloid permeation across mesopores
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Polymer-functionalised mesopores are an emerging technology for colloid separation, sensing and delivery. Their potential is strikingly illustrated in living cells, where nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) control biocolloid transport between the nucleus and the cytosol. Even colloids much smaller than the biopolymer-filled NPC channel are effectively blocked, but some larger colloids with distinct surface features rapidly permeate. Simplistically, one may expect any polymer filling to obstruct and slow down colloid transport. We demonstrate how a polymer filling that attracts colloids and extends beyond the mesopore, thus maximizing colloid capture, can instead increase permeation compared to a bare pore. We also define how polymer-filled mesopores can effectively gate colloids according to their size and surface features. Our findings provide a basic physical explanation for the exquisite permselectivity of NPCs, and a rational design strategy for novel mesopore-based separation, sensing, catalysis and drug delivery devices with enhanced performance features.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, Wageningen University & Research, University of Leeds, Kurchatov Institute, Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, American University of Beirut
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Russian Science Foundation
Award: G6239476373
OpenAlex ID: W7204816417