Supramolecular Nanopumps with Chiral Recognition for Moving Organic Pollutants from Water.

Since organic pollutants in water resource have raised concerns on aquatic ecosystems and human health, mechanical machine such as nanopump for rapid and efficient removal of pollutants from water with regeneration properties remains a challenge. Here, a pH-responsive artificial pump from left-handed porous tubules into right-handed solid fibers was presented by the self-assembly of bent-shaped aromatic amphiphiles. The bent-shaped amphiphile with pH-sensitive segment was demonstrated into aromatic hexameric macrocycles which could contract into dimeric discs. Such switchable aromatic pore with super-hydrophobicity was well-suitable for efficient removal and controlled release of organic pollutants from water through pulsating motion. The removal efficiency is found to be 78% for ethinyl oestradiol (EO) and 82% for bisphenol (BPA). Additionally, the pumping accompanied by chiral inversion was endowed with rapid removal and convenient regenerable ability. The inflation from right-handed solid fibers into left-handed tubules for efficient removal pollutants was remarkably promoted by (-)-acidic enantiomer of malic acid, whereas the contraction with full desorption of pollutants was incisively responsive to alkaline with (+)-conformation. The kinetically regulable porous device with chiral recognition will provide a promising platform for the construction of rapid responsible machine for sewage treatment.