| abstract |
The present invention provides porous composition, such as those monoliths with tortuous flow through channels from aggregates comprising small particles. The present invention also relates to methods of making these solid networks and the use of these networks for a variety of functions. The nanoporous solid can be formed into a wide variety of macroscopic shapes and sizes and can be used as chromatographic supports, supports for solid phase chemistry, high surface area packing for chemical reactors, and separation, mixing, or reaction matrix for microfluidics devices. The method of making these networks comprises high shearing of the particles via, for example, a homogenizer, in an incompatible fluid so that the particles form a continuous open network. The method also comprises cross-linking the particles together via a linker species to 'lock-in' the open network structure formed during shearing. The present invention relates to surface modified carbonaceous material and inorganic oxide membranes and monoliths. In particular the invention relates to membranes and/or monoliths comprising a carbonaceous material and/or inorganic oxide (such as zirconia or titania), functionalized with an organic functional group. This organic functional group, either a small molecule or a polymer, can be chosen for specific end-uses, such as selective protein binding, ion exchange, hydrophobic interaction, chiral selection to enhance separations technology. |