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University of Cambridge

Non-Equilibrium Transport Across Liquid Membranes Using Coordination Cages

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The host-guest chemistry of coordination cages underscores their utility in selectively extracting molecules, offering potential for chemical separation systems. However, the equilibrium constraint within bulk liquid membrane systems limits molecular transport efficiency to 50%, hindering widespread adoption. This thesis addresses this limitation by innovatively propelling compound transport away from equilibrium, utilizing light and chemical gradients. The first system investigates o-fluoroazobenzene (FAB) in bulk liquid membranes, analogous to the Maxwell’s Demon thought experiment. Light irradiation drives directional transport of FAB away from its initial equilibrium. Introducing a concentration gradient of naphthalene further drives the system out of equilibrium, elucidating competitive displacement mechanisms between guest compounds. Our second system employs the competitive displacement mechanism to construct an artificial antiport system, driving nonequilibrium distribution of guest compounds temporarily, using the gradient of another guest as a driving force. This thesis provides strategic insight into molecular transport through coordination cages, which will be useful for enhancing chemical separation efficiency.

Degree

thesis:*
Name dc:type.qualificationname
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Level dc:type.qualificationlevel
Doctoral
Grantor dc:publisher.institution
University of Cambridge
Year dc:date.issued
2024

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Pruchyathamkorn, Jiratheep
Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
  • Nitschke, Jonathan

Subjects

dc:subject × 11

Rights

dc:rights
Language dc:language
eng

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Author Identifier
0000-0002-6281-3774
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:www.repository.cam.ac.uk:1810/373560

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Cambridge University
Base URL
api.repository.cam.ac.uk/server/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Pruchyathamkorn, Jiratheep. Non-Equilibrium Transport Across Liquid Membranes Using Coordination Cages. Doctoral thesis, University of Cambridge, 2024. https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.111922