Biofunctionalized nanofibrous membranes mimicking carnivorous plants

A novel biofunctionalized nanofibrous membrane is developed through immobilization of protein ligands on the surface of nanofibers. The biofunctionalization not only enhances the membrane’s structural properties including mechanical and thermal ones but also makes the membrane capable to separate nanoparticles and biomolecules much smaller than the pore size from water efficiently. Upon contact with water, the conformational change of the protein immobilized leads to its swelling, thereby an enlarged functional surface area and a higher steric hindrance capturing the filtrates. In case of filtration of a plasmonic nanoparticle containing suspension, decoration of the membrane with the plasmonic nanoparticles forms a smart bionanocomposite biosensor for detection of protein denaturation.