| AVS 65th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| 2D Materials Focus Topic | Thursday Sessions |
| Session 2D+EM+MI+MN+NS+SS-ThM |
| Session: | Novel 2D Materials |
| Presenter: | Armin Gölzhäuser, Bielefeld University, Germany |
| Authors: | Y. Yang, Bielefeld University, Germany P. Dementyev, Bielefeld University, Germany N. Biere, Bielefeld University, Germany D. Emmrich, Bielefeld University, Germany P. Stohmann, Bielefeld University, Germany R. Korzetz, Bielefeld University, Germany X.H. Zhang, Bielefeld University, Germany A. Beyer, Bielefeld University, Germany S. Koch, Bielefeld University, Germany D. Anselmetti, Bielefeld University, Germany A. Gölzhäuser, Bielefeld University, Germany |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Clean water is a global challenge, and membrane filtration is a key technology to achieve it. Here, we report on carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) with sub-nanometer channels that prove to be excellent water filters, combining a high selectivity with an exceptionally high water permeance. The CNMs are fabricated via the cross-linking of terphenyl self-assembled monolayers [1], resulting in a ~1.2 nm thick membrane perforated by channels with diameters below ~0.7 nm and areal densities of ~1018m−2. When tested as filter membranes, it was found that the CNMs efficiently block the passage of most gases and liquids [2]. However, water passes through, and it does this with a record-breaking permeance of ~1.1×10−4 mol·m−2·s−1·Pa−1. This suggests that water molecules translocate fast and cooperatively through the sub-nanometer channels.Assuming all channels in a TPT-CNMs are active in mass transport, we find a single-channel permeation of ~66 water molecules·s−1·Pa−1.We compare this with molecular transport through other carbon nanoconduits, such as carbon nanotubes or membrane proteins (aquaporins). As the fabrication of CNMs is scalable, their utilization opens a path towards the application of 2D-materials in energy-efficient water purification.
[1] A. Turchanin and A. Gölzhäuser: Carbon Nanomembranes, Adv. Mater. 2016,28, 6075.
[2] Y. Yang, P. Dementyev, N. Biere, D. Emmrich, P. Stohmann, R. Korzetz, X. Zhang, A. Beyer, S. Koch, D. Anselmetti, A. Gölzhäuser, ACS Nano, in press.