Bioinspired graphene membrane with temperature tunable channels for water gating and molecular separation

Citation:

Liu, J. ; Wang, N. \ddotu\elseü\fi}; Yu, L. - J. ; Karton, A. ; Li, W. ; Zhang, W. ; Guo, F. ; Hou, L. ; Cheng, Q. ; Jiang, L. ; et al. Bioinspired graphene membrane with temperature tunable channels for water gating and molecular separation. Nat. Commun. 2017, 8 2011. Copy at http://www.tinyurl.com/yxktqj65
liu2017.pdf1.56 MB

Date Published:

Dec

Abstract:

Smart regulation of substance permeability through porous membranes is highly desirable for membrane applications. Inspired by the stomatal closure feature of plant leaves at relatively high temperature, here we report a nano-gating membrane with a negative temperature-response coefficient that is capable of tunable water gating and precise small molecule separation. The membrane is composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) covalently bound to graphene oxide via free-radical polymerization. By virtue of the temperature tunable lamellar spaces of the graphene oxide nanosheets, the water permeance of the membrane could be reversibly regulated with a high gating ratio. Moreover, the space tunability endows the membrane with the capability of gradually separating multiple molecules of different sizes. This nano-gating membrane expands the scope of temperature-responsive membranes and has great potential applications in smart gating systems and molecular separation.

Publisher's Version

Last updated on 09/07/2018