Fabrication and characterization of biomimetic hybrid nanoporous membranes

Thanks to recent advances in nanotechnology and molecular engineering, biomimicry is emerging at the nanoscale and more particularly in the field of membrane and nanopores. The biological cell is filled with different nanopores and transporters controlling the exchange of ions and molecules between the cell and its environment. However, these biological nanopores are difficult to study in vitro due to their instability and sensitivity to small variations in external parameters (pH, salt concentration…). On the contrary, solid-state nanoporous membranes have advantages over their biological counterparts: enhanced stability, choice of nanopore diameter and potential for integration into devices. In this context, the aim if the internship was to build and characterize hybrid nanoporous membranes. These membranes combine the robustness of solid-state nanopores with the specificity of lipids (biomolecules). Biomimetic hybrid membranes are fabricated by depositing plant lipids (PC and DGDG) inside SiN nanopores. Different microscopy techniques (fluorescence, transmission electron microscopy TEM and atomic force microscopy AFM) are used to characterize lateral lipid deposition on nanoporous membranes. Vertical lipid deposition inside nanopores is also quantified using AFM. Surface coverage of lipid deposited with different methods is also evaluated. Further, AFM scan parameters effect on constructed nanopore topography is assessed.