Silicages as a tool for separation process.

The reactivity inside a microenvironment is often different from bulk solution - and that's why nano-geochemistry is more relevant in the study of many processes in the sediments and hydrothermal fluids. 

I hope that the microenvironment provided by the "silicages" micelles of 10-nm-diameter dodecahedral silica enclosures may be used for separation of isotopes in a flow-through column. The key to successful separation lies with the selection of a suitable complexing agent for the chosen element, and a suitable medium with appropriate polarity for the micelle. When the solution containing the complexes of two different isotopes of an element passes through the column filled with the silicages, isotope fractionation should occur through diffusion. The lighter isotope shall diffuse faster and get enriched inside the micelles. Then, comparatively heavier isotope shall become enriched in the column. During this process, the stability of the micelles may be disturbed, and that's where the challenge lies. Either the silicages may have to be stabilised after removing the micelles or, suitable starting material like vanadium oxide, gold or silver has to be used for forming the nanometer-sized cages.

Apart from this, the silicages can also be used for the separation and purification of organics from the sediments in the study of organic geochemistry.  Similarly, the silicages enclosures may form a better reaction chamber for microbial growth, wastewater treatment, and many other processes.