MCM-41 was first synthesized using an established sol-gel method (Scheme 1). The surface of these spheres was then covalently modified with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane, introducing amine groups and creating MCM-N (Scheme 2). To further functionalize the surface, some of these amine groups were subsequently reacted with succinic anhydride, transforming MCM-N into MCM-Z. This final material has a zwitterionic character, meaning it has both positively charged amine and negatively charged carboxyl groups decorating its nanochannel surfaces.