Bio-inspired nano-/micro-channels via supramolecular assembling: From fundamentals to applications

Ion channels play a vital role in regulating the flow of ions across cell membranes to maintain physiological functions. Mimicking this biological process and fabricating artificial nano-/micro-channels with similar functions are expected to solve challenges involving ion transport in fields such as energy, environment, and human health. As a flexible and controllable preparation technology, supramolecular self-assembly is a powerful tool for designing biomimetic channels for specific purposes. Although various artificial channels have been reported, ever-increasing research interest in their application potential call for a bridge between design principles and engineering applications. In this Perspective, we summarized the recent advances in this new field and analyzed the working mechanism based on the grounded theory of supramolecular chemistry and nanofluidic systems. To promote the progress of this field, the opportunities and key challenges in this field for future research and applications are highlighted.