Near Infrared Light-Driven Photothermal Effect on Homochiral Au/TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays for Enantioselective Desorption

Chiral enantiomers have different effects on biological processes. Enantiomer separation is significant and necessary. Herein, a photothermal (PT) effect-derived enantioselective desorption strategy based on homochiral Au/TiO₂ nanotubes (NTs) is developed. Using 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) as the model enantiomer, an obvious selective desorption of L/D-DOPA can be achieved by the NIR light-triggered local temperature enhancement. Molecular docking simulation further verifies that the distinct affinity precipitated by the different hydrogen bonds between homochiral sorbent and target enantiomers is the origin of enantioselective desorption. This desorption strategy provides a green and alternative approach for the selective separation of chiral molecules.