Organic–Inorganic Cooperative Molecular Recognition in Nanostructure of Alkyl-grafted MCM-41

Abstract
Molecules having hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups such as 4-n-heptylaniline and 4-nonylphenol, an endocrine disrupter, fit the organic–inorganic nanostructure in alkyl-grafted MCM-41, interacting with the inorganic walls as well as the organic moiety, and thus the adsorbent achieves high molecular adsorption selectivity.