Molecular self-assembly is the spontaneous association of molecules under equilibrium conditions into stable, structurally well-defined aggregates joined by noncovalent bonds. Molecular self-assembly is ubiquitous in biological systems and underlies the formation of a wide variety of complex biological structures. Understanding self-assembly and the associated noncovalent interactions that connect complementary interacting molecular surfaces in biological aggregates is a central concern in structural biochemistry. Self-assembly is also emerging as a new strategy in chemical synthesis, with the potential of generating nonbiological structures with dimensions of 1 to 10(2) nanometers (with molecular weights of 10(4) to 10(10) daltons). Structures in the upper part of this range of sizes are presently inaccessible through chemical synthesis, and the ability to prepare them would open a route to structures comparable in size (and perhaps complementary in function) to those that can be prepared by microlithography and other techniques of microfabrication.

Molecular self-assembly and nanochemistry: A chemical strategy for the synthesis of nanostructures

Chemical modification of silica surface by immobilization of functional groups for extractive concentration of metal ions.

Effective removal of Cu (II) ions from aqueous solution by amino-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles.

Adsorption of Cu(II) and Pb(II) onto a grafted silica: isotherms and kinetic models

A review on zinc and nickel adsorption on natural and modified zeolite, bentonite and vermiculite: Examination of process parameters, kinetics and isotherms

Removal of cadmium, zinc, manganese and chromium cations from aqueous solution by a clay mineral

The natural highly charged lamellar silicate vermiculite was investigated as an exchanger matrix in doubly distilled water solution to exchange magnesium inside the lamella with the heavy cations copper, nickel, cobalt, and lead at the solid/liquid interface. The extension of each exchange reaction was dependent on time of reaction, pH, and cation concentration. The maximum time presented the following order Pb2+  N f , which gave values 0.59, 0.76, 0.84, and 0.93 mmol g−1 for Pb2+

Natural vermiculite as an exchanger support for heavy cations in aqueous solution.

Hydroxyapatite organofunctionalized with silylating agents to heavy cation removal.

Silica gel containing sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen as adsorbent centers on surface for removing copper from aqueous/ethanolic solutions.

Ethylenimine in the synthetic routes of a new silylating agent: chelating ability of nitrogen and sulfur donor atoms after anchoring onto the surface of silica gel

Luiza N.H. Arakaki

Papers

Removal of cadmium, zinc, manganese and chromium cations from aqueous solution by a clay mineral

Natural vermiculite as an exchanger support for heavy cations in aqueous solution.

Hydroxyapatite organofunctionalized with silylating agents to heavy cation removal.

Silica gel containing sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen as adsorbent centers on surface for removing copper from aqueous/ethanolic solutions.

Ethylenimine in the synthetic routes of a new silylating agent: chelating ability of nitrogen and sulfur donor atoms after anchoring onto the surface of silica gel