Building nanopore-supported 2D vesicles in surfaces

Abstract

Water compartmentalization in a two-dimensional (2D)configuration is a challenging and thriving field. Here, we form fluid-fluid structures called 2D vesicles in which aqueous solutions are encapsulated within small oil barriers into a mesoporous thin film that allows them to communicate with a surrounding aqueous environment through predefined paths. Each area in the 2D space can also be programmed to specifically achieve different chemical processes. The framework of these nanopore-supported 2D vesicles has exciting applications in advanced surface developments and multi-device technologies.