Innovative Training Networks (ITN)
Das ITN-Projekt “STIMULUS” fokusiert sich auf bessere diagnostische Strategien, neuartige Materialien und eine gezieltere Wirkstoff-Steuerung bei der Behandlung von entzündlichen Wundinfektionen.
Currently involved team members: Mohadeseh Bagherabadi

EXIST-CeraSleeve
CeraSleeve® is a startup project in the field of Circular Economy", which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) as part of the EXIST research transfer funding program.
The recently patented circular material innovation, which is based on a novel coating process, enables the sustainable production of wet-strength and water-repellent papers. In contrast to conventional methods, the use of synthetic resins and plastic films is completely avoided. At the same time, the technology makes paper products such as disposable cups or sanitary paper fully recyclable for the first time. This makes a significant contribution to conserving resources and protecting the environment.
Exposé:
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in German
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in English
Related Publications:
M. Nau & N. Herzog, J. Schmidt, T. Meckel, A. Andrieu-Brunsen & M. Biesalski , , Adv. Mater. Interf., 2019, 6, 1900892. Janus‐Type Hybrid Paper Membranes
Nau, Herzog, Andrieu-Brunsen, Biesalski DE 102018124255.7, 2018.
C. Dubois, N. Herzog, C. Rüttiger, A. Geissler, E. Grange, U. Kunz, H.-J. Kleebe, M. Biesalski, T. Meckel, T. Gutmann, M. Gallei, A. Andrieu-Brunsen, , 2017, 33, 332-339. Fluid Flow Programming in Paper-Derived Silica-Polymer Hybrids, Langmuir
Currently involved team members: M. Stanzel, N. Rath, A. Coreth
ERC StG “3D-FNP-Writing”
3D-FNPWriting will reduce the performance gap between natural and technological membranes based on significantly increased 3D nanolocal control on nanopore structure and asymmetric nanoscale functionalization as well as on membrane architecture and composition.
Key to this advanced membrane design is the nanolocal asymmetric functional and hierarchical structural control in nanopores and their membranes. This will be achieved by implementing a technology platform based on 3D printing and high resolution microscopy initiated functional polymer writing. With this disruptive technology platform 3D-FNPWriting will provide groundbreaking, to date unachieved, selective, directed transport with tuneable rates in artificial nanoporous membranes. This will allow to experimemtally correlate nanolocal structure and functional placement with transport and will open new perspectives in membrane performance supporting water and energy management for future smart industry/ homes.
Currently involved team members: C. Förster, L. Zhao, D. Spiehl, R. Lehn, M. Kremer, D. Richter
Funding: ERC


SFB 1194
Our project within the collaborative research center „Interaction between transport and wetting processes“examines the transport of charged molecules in solution through nanometer scale pores and explores the interaction with the wetting characteristics of the substrate.
In this context, the understanding of macro- and nanoscopic wetting is a first step for manipulating transport processes. In particular, the influence of the ions in solution on the charged pore walls and the effect on contact line dynamics will receive special attention. Specific links to both generic configurations, to MD modeling, and to all projects using porous surfaces are important. Potential application are found in the separation, sensor technology or molecule release. Even boiling processes can be influenced by mesoporous surface coatings.
Related Publications:
A. Khalil, P. Rostami, G.K. Auernhammer, A. Andrieu-Brunsen, , Adv. Mater. Interfaces, 2021, 8, 2100252. Mesoporous Coatings with Simultaneous Light-Triggered Transition of Water Imbibition and Droplet Coalescence
A. Khalil, F. Schäfer, N. Postulka, M. Stanzel, M. Biesalski, A. Andrieu-Brunsen, , Nanoscale, 2020, 12, 24228. Wettability-defined droplet imbibition in ceramic mesopores
A. Khalil, M. Zimmermann, A. K. Bell, U. Kunz, S. Hardt, H.-J. Kleebe, R. W. Stark, P. Stephan, A. Andrieu-Brunsen, , J. Colloid Interf. Sci., 2020, 560, 369-378. Insights into the interplay of wetting and transport in mesoporous silica films
L. Silies, E. Gonzalez Solveyra, I. Szleifer, A. Andrieu-Brunsen, , Langmuir, 2018, 34, 20, 5943. Insights into the Role of Counterions on Polyelectrolyte-modified Nanopore Accessibility
Currently involved team members: L. Despot

DFG Project
3D Local Near-Field Mode Initiated Polymerisation
We are exploring the potential of near field modes to localize polymer functionalization in three dimensions at the nanoscale. Due to the wavelength region of these near field modes such as surface plasmons this needs visible light (> 470 nm) induced polymerizations.
Currently, we are for example investigating dye-sensitized polymerization using methylene blue or fluoresceine.
Related Publications:
D. John, R. Mohammadi, N. Vogel, A. Andrieu-Brunsen, , Langmuir, 2020, 36, 7, 1671-1679. Surface plasmon and green light induced polymerization in mesoporous thin silica films
N. Herzog, J. Kind, C. Hess, A. Andrieu-Brunsen, , Chem. Commun., 2015, 51, 11697. Surface Plasmons & Visible Light For Polymer Functionalization of Mespores and Manipulation of Ionic Permselectivity
Formerly involved team members: D. John, N. Herzog

DFG Project
Nanopräzise und multifunktionale Porenfunktionalisierung durch Benetzungssteuerung
Especially in the context of sensing, monitoring and the design of selective or coupled transport phenomena, multifunctional nanopores will be needed.
Currently we are working on different strategies using interface effects such as wetting and the combination of differnet materials or looking at re-initiation of polymers and block-co-oligomer formation to place multiple functions into individual nanopores.
Related Publication:
M. Ochs, R. Mohammadi, N. Vogel, A. Andrieu-Brunsen, , Small, 2020, 16, 1906463. Wetting-controlled localized placement of surface functionalities within nanopores
R. Mohammadi, M. Ochs, A. Andrieu-Brunsen, N. Vogel, , J. Phys. Chem. C, 2019, 124, 4, 2609-2618. Effect of Asymmetry on Plasmon Hybridaization and Sensing Capacities of Hole-Disk Arrays
Currently involved team members: M. Kirsch
Formerly involved team members: M. Ochs

DFG Project
Selektiv adressierbare Grenzflächen in Papier
The proposed project aims to specifically design especially nanopores in paper. Their influence on paper properties such as capillary fluid- and molecular transport will be systematically understood and controlled.
In this context the proposed project will I) correlate the cellulose fiber characteristics (morphology, length, fiber wall thickness, …) to mesopore formation using sol-gel chemistry, II) prepare paper from pre-functionalized cellulose fibers with defined mesopore structure and functionalization and evaluate them with respect to mechanical stability and their application potential in dependence of functionalization, fiber composition and distribution and medium term with respect to fiber type.
Related Publication:
M. Nau & N. Herzog, J. Schmidt, T. Meckel, A. Andrieu-Brunsen & M. Biesalski , , Adv. Mater. Interf., 2019, 6, 1900892. Janus‐Type Hybrid Paper Membranes
Patent: Nau, Herzog, Andrieu-Brunsen, Biesalski DE 102018124255.7, 2018
C. Dubois, N. Herzog, C. Rüttiger, A. Geissler, E. Grange, U. Kunz, H.-J. Kleebe, M. Biesalski, T. Meckel, T. Gutmann, M. Gallei, A. Andrieu-Brunsen, , 2017, 33, 332-339. Fluid Flow Programming in Paper-Derived Silica-Polymer Hybrids, Langmuir
Currently involved team members: J. Mikolaei
Formerly involved team member: N. Herzog

FIF / FAUDI Project
Nanoporous membranes for selective removal of micro pollutants from water
Nanoporous hybrid membranes with functional separation layers represent a promising new development for increasing membrane selectivity of certain substances (Andrieu-Brunsen et al. 2015).
By adapting the functionalization of the interface layers (charge state, hydrophilicity), e.g. by pH-dependent zwitterionic polymers, permeation into membrane pores can be prevented or accelerated. This is highly important for sustainable water management in the context of future smart industry concepts. However, the functionality and resistance of such interface layers under application-related test conditions with regard to pressure, pH value, crossflow, permeability and presence of other constituents still remain unknown. Interdisciplinary cooperation of “Smart Membranes” and “Wastewater Technology” will explore basics of preparing functionalized nanoporous separation layers on macroporous substrates and their behavior during crossflow filtration of micropollutant solutions and wastewater. Permeability and selectivity will be optimized by repetitive iteration and benchmarked against a commercially available polymeric NF membrane.
Collaboration TU Darmstadt Prof. Engelhart
Currently involved team members: M. Stanzel

LOEWE -iNAPO (finished)
In this context “pH” is an important parameter to control the charge within spatial confinement and thus to control pore accessibility. Thereby, spatial confinement influences “pH” in pores.
Here, we are interested in understanding the effect of spatial confinement on pore charge and “pH” in confined space by using pH-sensing dyes, fluorescence spectroscopy and in collaboration single molecule fluorescence.
Related Publications:
R. Brilmayer, C. Förster, L. Zhao, A. Andrieu-Brunsen, , Current Opinion in Biotech, 2020, 63, 200-209. Recent trends in nanopore polymer functionalization
M. H. Tran, R. Brilmayer, L. Liu, H. L. Zhuang, C. Hess, A. Andrieu-Brunsen, C. S. Birkel, , ACS Appl. Nano. Mater., 2020, 3, 5, 4069-4076. Synthesis of a smart hybrede MXene with switchable conductivity for temperature sensing
Frontispiece
R. Brilmayer, S. Kuebelbeck, A. Khalil, M. Brodrecht, U. Kunz, H.-J. Kleebe, G. Buntkowsky, G. Bayer, A. Andrieu-Brunsen, , Adv. Mat. Interf., 2020, 1901914. Influence of nanoconfinement on the pKa of polyelectrolyte functionalized silica mesopores
M. Stanzel, R. Brilmayer, M. Langhans, T. Meckel, A. Andrieu-Brunsen, , Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 2019, 282, 29-37. FRET-based pH-sensing in mesoporous thin films with tunable detection range
Formerly involved team members: Robert Brilmayer
