Gold Nanotube Membranes: membrane materials, characterization, and module design

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>In this review, we discuss gold nanotube membranes, which are of interest in the field of membrane separations. The review briefly describes the template synthesis approach based on electroless gold deposition for production of these membranes using polymer track‐etched and porous alumina membranes as a template. Separation using gold nanotube membranes based on strategies such as molecular size exclusion, charge, and molecular recognition are also presented. Gold nanotube membranes can perform various separations of ions, organic molecules, proteins, and nucleic acid. This review covers the concepts underlying the separation mechanisms as well as representative applications of gold nanotube membranes in biosensing, catalysis, and biomedical applications. The review concludes with an outlook providing a perspective for further developments and applications of gold nanotube membranes.</jats:p>