Reversible control of solution solubility using functionalized nanoparticles

The method of any preceding claim, wherein the readily retrievable agent is surface coated with the one or more functional groups.

The method of any preceding claim, wherein the readily retrievable agent further comprises one or more affinity tags.

The method of any preceding claim, wherein the affinity tag comprises a streptavidin or biotin moiety.

The method of any preceding claim, further comprising:

• i) maintaining the combination for a period of time;
• and
• ii) following step i), retrieving the readily retrievable agent from the solution.

A method of producing crystals, the method comprising:

• adding to a solution at a concentration at saturation or below saturation of the compound of interest an effective amount of nanoparticles surface coated with functional groups that reduce the solution solubility while remaining attached to the nanoparticles, wherein when present in the solution, the nanoparticles transform the solution to a supersaturated state causing nucleation and subsequent growth of crystals comprising constituents of the solution.

A method of producing crystals, the method comprising:

• adding to a solution comprising a compound of interest, an effective amount of nanoparticles surface coated with a solubility-lowering agent, wherein following addition of the nanoparticles to the solution, the solution is transformed to a supersaturated state causing nucleation and subsequent growth of crystals comprising the compound.

A system for producing crystals, the system comprising:

• a first container housing a solution comprising a compound of interest, and
• a second container housing nanoparticles surface coated with a solubility-lowering agent.

A composition comprising:

• i) a solution that comprises a dissolved compound, and
• ii) nanoparticles surface coated with a solubility-lowering agent, wherein the nanoparticles are present in an amount effective for producing in the solution a supersaturated state to nucleate and grow crystals comprising the compound.

A method for purifying an impure solution, wherein a column comprises an effective amount of nanoparticles surface coated with a solubility-lowering agent, a first opening, and a second opening, comprising

• adding the impure solution to the column through the first opening and
• allowing a purified solution to exit the column through the second opening.

A system for purifying a solution, the system comprising:

• a first container housing a column comprising at least two openings and nanoparticles surface coated with a solubility-lowering agent,
• wherein, the column comprises an effective amount of the nanoparticles.

A composition comprising a nanoparticle surface coated with a solubility-lowering agent.

A composition comprising:

• a nanoparticle surface coated with an agent that increases the solubility of a solution.

A method of increasing solution solubility, the method comprising:

• adding to a solution comprising a compound of interest, nanoparticles surface coated with functional groups that increase the solution solubility, wherein following addition of the nanoparticles to the solution, the solution solubility increases.

A method comprising:

• adding nanoparticles surface coated with functional groups that increase solution solubility to a solution that comprises crystals comprising a compound of interest, wherein following addition of the nanoparticles to the solution, the crystals dissolve in the solution.