Beetle‐Inspired Assembly of Heterostructured Lamellar Membranes with Polymer Cluster–Patterned Surface for Enhanced Molecular Permeation

Abstract

2D lamellar membranes hold great promise in efficient molecular separations of liquid and gas mixtures. However, the simultaneous realization of high permeation and precise sieving (i.e., overcoming the permeation-rejection tradeoff ) of membranes poses a great challenge. Inspired by the structures and functions of the beetle's back, the heterostructured lamellar membranes fabricated through facile and controllable electrostatic atomization method are reported. Particularly, hydrophobic polymer clusters are patterned on hydrophilic laminate (graphene oxide) surfaces to realize the hydrophilic/hydrophobic heterostructure. It shows that the fast dissolution for nonpolar solvents is achieved by the strong affinity polymer clusters, and the ultralow-barrier diffusion is achieved by the weak affinity laminate channels. Therefore, the permeance is remarkably enhanced (over 7 times for nonpolar solvents), while fully retaining membrane rejection. In contrast, hydrophilic clusters are patterned on hydrophobic laminate (reduced graphene oxide) surfaces and exhibit similar behaviors toward polar solvents. Furthermore, the lamellar membrane displays highly ordered layer-by-layer stacking, affording precise molecular rejection. Besides, the lamellar membrane acquires lower thermodynamic energy and hence superior stability under ultrasonic and strong acid or alkali environments, manifesting great potential for long-term practical operation.

High‐flux and solvent‐selective membranes with aromatic functionalities and dual‐layer structures

“…The favorable dissolution property of the DAN outer coating and the fast diffusion through the PDMS inner coating co‐contribute to the result of highly efficient toluene transport. Figure 7(b) summarizes the performances of OSN membranes in literature 24,26,27,37–39 . OSN membranes with the double coating structure prepared in this study bring prominent improvement to solvent permeance and selectivity.…”

Single-layer membranes for organic solvent nanofiltration: a molecular dynamics simulation and comparative experimental study

“…As the novel two-dimensional materials developed, twodimensional (2D) membranes can be exploited as competitive candidates for OSN applications. 15,16 The two-dimensional separation membrane consists of several layers of nanosheets stacked parallel to each other with atomic layer thickness. 17,18 Because of the voids between adjacent nanosheets, this unique structure results in uniform performance of transmission and separation.…”

Confined assembly of ultrathin nanoporous nitrogen-doped graphene nanofilms with dual metal coordination chemistry

“…2015 , 2019 ; Yang et al. 2017 , 2019a , 2019b ; Li et al., 2013 ; Wang et al., 2019a ; Wu et al., 2020 ; Song et al., 2017 ). Theoretical calculations showed that single-layered nanoporous GO membranes could achieve ultrafast molecule sieving ( Cohen-Tanugi and Grossman, 2012 ).…”

“…On the basis of the unique atomic thickness, extraordinary physicochemical properties, and micrometer lateral dimensions, numerous attempts are made for providing the foundation in fabricating highly permeable graphene oxide (GO) membranes, which deposits a GO film on an ultrafiltration or a microfiltration membrane support (Mi 2014;Zhang et al 2015Zhang et al , 2019Yang et al 2017Yang et al , 2019aYang et al , 2019bLi et al, 2013;Wang et al, 2019a;Wu et al, 2020;Song et al, 2017). Theoretical calculations showed that single-layered nanoporous GO membranes could achieve ultrafast molecule sieving (Cohen-Tanugi and Grossman, 2012).…”