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Tang G, Cheng X, Fan B, Jia Z, Liu K, Zhang S. ERD15 promotes peach and tomato ripening by activating polyamine catabolism. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2025; 356:112515. [PMID: 40239842 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2025.112515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2025] [Accepted: 04/12/2025] [Indexed: 04/18/2025]
Abstract
Polyamine oxidase (PAO) is a key enzyme in polyamine (PA) catabolism and plays a vital role during fruit ripening. However, regulatory mechanisms that control PAO expression during maturation remain unclear. This study identifies the transcription factor PpeERD15 through yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) screening with the PpePAO1 promoter. ERD15 (early response to dehydration 15), a member of the early response to dehydration protein family, is known for its role in abiotic stress responses, but its function in fruit ripening remains largely unexplored. Subcellular localization analysis demonstrated that PpeERD15 was localized in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. Y1H and LUC assays confirmed that PpeERD15 directly binds the PpePAO1 promoter. Transient silencing of PpEDR15 in peach fruit downregulated PpePAO1 expression, promoted PA accumulation, inhibited ethylene production, increased fruit firmness, and delayed fruit ripening. Conversely, overexpression of PpeEDR15 upregulated PpePAO1, decreased PA content, promoted ethylene production, reduced fruit firmness, and accelerated fruit ripening. The role of homologous gene of ERD15 was also validated in tomato. This study discovered that PpeEDR15 regulates fruit ripening by promoting PA catabolism via PpePAO1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangcai Tang
- College of Horticulture, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Laboratory of Henan Horticultural Crop Biology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China.
| | - Xin Cheng
- College of Horticulture, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Laboratory of Henan Horticultural Crop Biology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China.
| | - Bingli Fan
- College of Horticulture, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Laboratory of Henan Horticultural Crop Biology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China.
| | - Zhiqi Jia
- College of Horticulture, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Laboratory of Henan Horticultural Crop Biology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China.
| | - Keke Liu
- College of Horticulture, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Laboratory of Henan Horticultural Crop Biology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China.
| | - Shiwen Zhang
- College of Horticulture, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Laboratory of Henan Horticultural Crop Biology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China.
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2
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Wang X, Kong W, Zhai X, Wang Z, Epsztein R, Li X. Direct Quantification of Ion Partitioning and Diffusion Resistances in Reverse Osmosis Membranes via Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2025. [PMID: 40434163 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5c01683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2025]
Abstract
Polyamide (PA) reverse osmosis (RO) membranes are crucial for water desalination and purification, where salt ion transport is governed by partitioning and diffusion through the PA film. Despite extensive research, decoupling these two steps and quantifying their relative contributions remain challenging due to the lack of reliable characterization methods. Here, we develop a rapid, reproducible electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) protocol incorporating advanced electrical equivalent circuits to directly quantify partitioning and diffusion resistance. Its validity is verified through membrane filtration experiments and activation energy analysis. Our findings reveal that diffusion dominates ion transport resistance, with values 4.5 to 6.0 times higher than partitioning resistance across diverse monovalent cations. However, we discovered a critical concentration-dependent behavior where partitioning resistance becomes increasingly significant at lower electrolyte concentrations, eventually equaling diffusion resistance near 0.1 mM. We also uncovered that the anomalously low rejection of NH4+ of RO membranes stemmed from significantly reduced diffusion resistance, likely due to moderate hydrogen-bonding interactions with membrane pores or its tetrahedral geometry. This quantitative insight into transport resistance mechanisms establishes new design principles for next-generation RO membranes, enabling tailored strategies for applications ranging from high-salinity desalination to the removal of low-concentration micropollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueye Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Wanting Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaohu Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Razi Epsztein
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Xuesong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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3
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Jiang X, Zhang L, Miao Y, Chen L, Liu J, Zhang T, Cheng S, Song Y, Zhao Y. Intrinsic roles of nanosheet characteristics in two-dimensional montmorillonite membranes for efficient Li +/Mg 2+ separation. WATER RESEARCH 2025; 276:123291. [PMID: 39955792 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2024] [Revised: 01/17/2025] [Accepted: 02/12/2025] [Indexed: 02/18/2025]
Abstract
Stacking two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets into lamellar membranes holds great promise in the selective separation of Li+ and Mg2+ from salt-lake brines, but revealing the intrinsic effect of nanosheet properties on the ion transport remains a great challenge. The primary reasons are inevitable emerging defects and changes in surface functional groups during nanosheet preparation. Here, we successfully demonstrated the intrinsic dependence of ion separation on the size and layer charge density of 2D building blocks using defect-free and inherently permanent charged clay nanosheets. The smaller-sized nanosheets readily assembled into lamellar membranes with narrower nanochannel dimension, which facilitated the steric hindrance effect to improve the Li+/Mg2+ selectivity. Experiments and calculations demonstrated the layer charge density-dependent ion separation as well, for which a novel mechanism of intrinsic selective separation driven from the energy barrier difference of ions transport was proposed. Based on the "internal" regulation of the intrinsic nanosheet properties, MMT membranes realized stable and efficient Li+/Mg2+ separation under extreme conditions, multi-cycle and long-term experiments, with an optimal SLi/Mg of 38.9, superior to most of the reported state-of-the-art membranes. This work reveals the intrinsic interplay of nanosheet properties tuning the ion transport and separation, which will inspire the design and development of advanced 2D lamellar membranes, particularly for sustainable and environmental energy exploitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiongrui Jiang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wenzhi Street 34, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Lingjie Zhang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wenzhi Street 34, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, Av. Parque Chapultepec 1570, San Luis Potosi 78210, Mexico.
| | - Yanhui Miao
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wenzhi Street 34, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Licai Chen
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wenzhi Street 34, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Jiaoyan Liu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wenzhi Street 34, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei 430023, China; Wuhan Clayene Technology Co., Ltd., Tangxunhu North Road 36, Wuhan, Hubei 430223, China
| | - Shuai Cheng
- State Development Investment Xinjiang Lop Nur Potash Corporation, Jianshe West Road 68, Hami, Xinjiang 839000, China
| | - Yuhan Song
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wenzhi Street 34, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Yunliang Zhao
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wenzhi Street 34, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; Wuhan Clayene Technology Co., Ltd., Tangxunhu North Road 36, Wuhan, Hubei 430223, China.
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4
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Lei D, Zhu Y, Lou LL, Liu Z. Covalent organic framework membranes for lithium extraction: facilitated ion transport strategies to enhance selectivity. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2025. [PMID: 40302559 DOI: 10.1039/d5mh00457h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2025]
Abstract
The surging global demand for lithium, driven by the proliferation of electric vehicles and energy storage technologies, has exposed significant limitations in conventional lithium extraction methods, including inefficiency and environmental harm. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as a promising platform to address this challenge and enable more sustainable lithium extraction, owing to their unique advantages such as precisely tunable pore sizes, robust stability, and the ability to incorporate functional binding sites for selective ion transport. This review focuses on structural design and functionalization strategies in COFs to optimize lithium-ion separation, highlighting how pore confinement effects, tailored interlayer stacking arrangements, and strategic functional group modifications can dramatically enhance Li+ selectivity over competing ions present in brine solutions. A particular emphasis is placed on the fundamental energy barriers associated with lithium-ion transport. In particular, we discuss how appropriately designed pore environments and lithium-binding functional groups reduce the dehydration energy required for Li+ to enter and traverse COF nanochannels, thereby facilitating faster and more selective Li+ conduction. We also survey recent advancements in COF-based lithium separation technologies, such as high-performance COF membranes and sorbents for extracting lithium from brines and seawater, evaluating their potential, as well as remaining challenges, for sustainable industrial implementation. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of how advanced COF engineering can enable efficient and selective lithium-ion transport, offering valuable insights for the development of next-generation lithium extraction materials and technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Lei
- Key Laboratory of Green and High-end Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources and Chemistry of Salt Lakes, Xining, Qinghai 810008, China.
| | - Yongjie Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Green and High-end Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources and Chemistry of Salt Lakes, Xining, Qinghai 810008, China.
| | - Lan-Lan Lou
- Institute of New Catalytic Materials Science, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
| | - Zhong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Green and High-end Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources and Chemistry of Salt Lakes, Xining, Qinghai 810008, China.
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5
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Mahofa E, El Meragawi S, Vilayatteri MA, Dwivedi S, Panda MR, Jovanović P, van Duin ACT, Freeman B, Tanksale A, Majumder M. Manipulating Intrapore Energy Barriers in Graphene Oxide Nanochannels for Targeted Removal of Short-Chain PFAS. ACS NANO 2025; 19:14742-14755. [PMID: 40195029 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c15413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2025]
Abstract
Removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water has become a research topic of interest in recent times. However, it is very challenging to remove short-chain (
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Affiliation(s)
- Eubert Mahofa
- Nanoscale Science and Engineering Laboratory (NSEL), Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, 20 Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing of 2D Materials, Monash University, 20 Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Sally El Meragawi
- Nanoscale Science and Engineering Laboratory (NSEL), Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, 20 Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing of 2D Materials, Monash University, 20 Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Muhammed A Vilayatteri
- Nanoscale Science and Engineering Laboratory (NSEL), Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, 20 Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing of 2D Materials, Monash University, 20 Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Swarit Dwivedi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Manas Ranjan Panda
- Nanoscale Science and Engineering Laboratory (NSEL), Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, 20 Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing of 2D Materials, Monash University, 20 Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Petar Jovanović
- Nanoscale Science and Engineering Laboratory (NSEL), Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, 20 Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing of 2D Materials, Monash University, 20 Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Adri C T van Duin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Benny Freeman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Akshat Tanksale
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Mainak Majumder
- Nanoscale Science and Engineering Laboratory (NSEL), Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, 20 Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing of 2D Materials, Monash University, 20 Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
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6
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Guo HY, Wang XM, Wang K, Liu S. Adsorption of natural organic matter and divalent cations onto / inside loose nanofiltration membranes: Implications for drinking water treatment from rejection selectivity perspective. WATER RESEARCH 2025; 282:123660. [PMID: 40253886 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2025] [Revised: 04/08/2025] [Accepted: 04/15/2025] [Indexed: 04/22/2025]
Abstract
Loose nanofiltration (LNF) membranes hold great promise for the selective rejection of natural organic matter (NOM) while maintaining mineral salts to produce high-quality drinking water. Nevertheless, the rejection selectivity performance is not only determined by the inherent properties of membranes but also influenced by the feed water compositions. This study explored the inevitable adsorption of NOM and inorganic ions onto and inside membrane materials, which in turn altered the charge properties of LNF membranes, thereby affecting the rejection selectivity. Zeta potential measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry technique were employed to characterize solute adsorption on the membrane surface and within the membrane pores. Filtration experiments using synthetic and natural waters were conducted to assess the contribution of electrostatic effects and evaluate the membrane rejection performance. Results revealed that LNF membrane surfaces during filtration were readily coated by NOM molecules, probably via hydrophobic interactions, which in turn adsorbed divalent cations that actually determined the net charge density on the membrane surface. Additionally, NOM adsorption within the membrane pores largely altered pore charge properties, particularly of the sulfonated polyethersulfone membranes (e.g. NTR7450), where deprotonated sulfonic groups otherwise contributed to a high charge density. These interactions among NOM, divalent cations and membrane materials greatly reduced charge density on the membrane surface and largely diminished charges in pores, leading to decreased rejection of both NOM and mineral salts, as well as the mitigation of co-ion competition effects. Nevertheless, the UA60 membrane, having a molecular weight cut-off of ∼1000 Da, rejected NOM by ∼70 % while maintaining ∼95 % bicarbonate and ∼65 % hardness ions in the treated water, demonstrating fairly good selectivity. These findings offer valuable insights for optimizing LNF membranes to improve the safety, chemical stability and palatability of treated drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Yu Guo
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiao-Mao Wang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Kunpeng Wang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Shuming Liu
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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7
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Jiang D, Hill JP, Henzie J, Nam HN, Phung QM, Zhu L, Wang J, Xia W, Zhao Y, Kang Y, Asahi T, Bu R, Xu X, Yamauchi Y. Selective Electrochemical Capture of Monovalent Cations Using Crown Ether-Functionalized COFs. J Am Chem Soc 2025; 147:12460-12468. [PMID: 40185696 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c16346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2025]
Abstract
Electrochemical adsorption offers a promising approach for the separation of monovalent cations, which is an important but challenging subject in separation science. However, progress in this area has been hampered by the lack of suitable materials with effective ion selectivity. In this work, we present the synthesis of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) functionalized with a series of crown ethers (NCx-TAB-COFs, x donate 12, 15, 18, indicating the size of crown ether) for the efficient and highly selective electrochemical capture of monovalent cations. In our design, crown ether moieties act as confinement sites, imparting high selectivity for different monovalent cations depending on the cavity dimensions of the crown ether present. COFs electrodes prepared using the novel crown-COFs exhibit superior performance for the selective sequestration of monovalent (alkali metal) cations. Notably, 18-crown-6 ether-substituted COF (NC18-TAB-COF) shows a remarkable selectivity (14.26) for K+ over Na+ and a substantial Rb+/Na+ selectivity of 22.4. Furthermore, NCx-TAB-COFs maintain their remarkable selectivity and capacity under mixed-cation conditions. Density functional theory calculations and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the unexpectedly high selectivity for larger cations is likely due to diverse binding modes in conjunction with the porous structure of the COFs. Given their lower dehydration-free energies and smaller hydrodynamic radii, K+, Rb+, and Cs+ more readily permeate the confined channels of COFs. In contrast, Na+ and Li+, with higher dehydration-free energies and hydrodynamic radii, diffuse into the NCx-TAB-COFs structure at a much slower rate and are bound predominantly to the surfaces of the COFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Jiang
- Department of Materials Process Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jonathan P Hill
- Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan
| | - Joel Henzie
- Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan
| | - Ho Ngoc Nam
- Department of Materials Process Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Quan Manh Phung
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Liyang Zhu
- Department of Materials Process Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Jie Wang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Wei Xia
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Ma'anshan, Anhui 243002, P. R. China
| | - Yingji Zhao
- Department of Materials Process Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Yunqing Kang
- Department of Materials Process Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Toru Asahi
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Ran Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Pharmaceutical, Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Xingtao Xu
- Marine Science and Technology College, Zhejiang Ocean University, 316022 Zhoushan, P. R. China
| | - Yusuke Yamauchi
- Department of Materials Process Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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8
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Liu W, Wang XM, Li D, Gao Y, Wang K, Huang X. Dominant Mechanism of Nanofiltration for Chloride/Sulfate Ion Separation in High Salinity Solutions: The Quantification of Pore Size-Influenced Dielectric Exclusion. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2025; 59:5848-5855. [PMID: 40068885 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5c00277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2025]
Abstract
Nanofiltration membranes attract extensive attention in solute selective separation, especially in resource extraction and recovery. A prevalent strategy to enhance the monovalent and multivalent ion selective separation performance involves modifying the membrane surface charge properties to influence the Donnan exclusion. However, the counterion adsorption and shielding effects are aggravated with increasing ionic strength, which severely weaken the Donnan exclusion. This study revealed that the contribution of Donnan exclusion was fairly moderate to SO42- rejection in high salinity solutions, while it was dielectric exclusion that exerted the most important influence on Cl-/SO42- selective separation with a pore radius at 0.35-0.44 nm (molecular weight cutoff at 180-300 Da). Consequently, we proposed that tailored design of nanofiltration membranes with a precise pore radius to fully utilize the steric and dielectric exclusion instead of increasing membrane charge density is more crucial for monovalent/multivalent ion selective separation in high salinity solutions. Overall, our study reveals the importance of dielectric exclusion and provides new insights into nanofiltration membrane customization and application for ion selective separation in high salinity solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenkai Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiao-Mao Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Danyang Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yawei Gao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Kunpeng Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xia Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Research and Application Center for Membrane Technology, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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9
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Yang D, Yang Y, Wong T, Iguodala S, Wang A, Lovell L, Foglia F, Fouquet P, Breakwell C, Fan Z, Wang Y, Britton MM, Williams DR, Shah N, Xu T, McKeown NB, Titirici MM, Jelfs KE, Song Q. Solution-processable polymer membranes with hydrophilic subnanometre pores for sustainable lithium extraction. NATURE WATER 2025; 3:319-333. [PMID: 40144313 PMCID: PMC11932922 DOI: 10.1038/s44221-025-00398-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2025] [Indexed: 03/28/2025]
Abstract
Membrane-based separation processes hold great promise for sustainable extraction of lithium from brines for the rapidly expanding electric vehicle industry and renewable energy storage. However, it remains challenging to develop high-selectivity membranes that can be upscaled for industrial processes. Here we report solution-processable polymer membranes with subnanometre pores with excellent ion separation selectivity in electrodialysis processes for lithium extraction. Polymers of intrinsic microporosity incorporated with hydrophilic functional groups enable fast transport of monovalent alkali cations (Li+, Na+ and K+) while rejecting relatively larger divalent ions such as Mg2+. The polymer of intrinsic microporosity membranes surpasses the performance of most existing membrane materials. Furthermore, the membranes were scaled up and integrated into an electrodialysis stack, demonstrating excellent selectivity in simulated salt-lake brines. This work will inspire the development of selective membranes for a wide range of sustainable separation processes critical for resource recovery and a global circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingchang Yang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Yijie Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Science Research Hub, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Toby Wong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sunshine Iguodala
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Anqi Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Louie Lovell
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Fabrizia Foglia
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Charlotte Breakwell
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Science Research Hub, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Zhiyu Fan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Yanlin Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Daryl R. Williams
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nilay Shah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Tongwen Xu
- Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Neil B. McKeown
- EaStCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Kim E. Jelfs
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Science Research Hub, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Qilei Song
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
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10
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Bonnet N, Marzari N. Ion Sieving in Two-Dimensional Membranes from First Principles. ACS NANO 2025; 19:8552-8560. [PMID: 40014395 PMCID: PMC11912574 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c13575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2025] [Accepted: 02/19/2025] [Indexed: 03/01/2025]
Abstract
A first-principles approach for calculating ion separation in solution through two-dimensional (2D) membranes is proposed and applied. Ionic energy profiles across the membrane are obtained first, where solvation effects are simulated explicitly with machine-learning molecular dynamics, electrostatic corrections are applied to remove finite-size capacitive effects, and a mean-field treatment of the charging of the electrochemical double layer is used. Entropic contributions are assessed analytically and validated against thermodynamic integration. Ionic separations are then inferred through a microkinetic model of the filtration process, accounting for steady-state charge separation effects across the membrane. The approach is applied to Li+, Na+, K+ sieving through a crown-ether functionalized graphene membrane, with a case study of the mechanisms for a highly selective and efficient extraction of lithium from aqueous solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicéphore Bonnet
- Theory and Simulation of
Materials (THEOS), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Marzari
- Theory and Simulation of
Materials (THEOS), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
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11
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Wang Z, Zhang W, Wang W, Wang P, Ni L, Wang S, Ma J, Cheng W. Amine-Modified ZIF Composite Membranes: Regulated Nanochannel Interactions for Enhanced Cation Transport and Precise Separation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2025; 59:4199-4209. [PMID: 39976453 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5c00132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2025]
Abstract
Electromembrane water treatment technologies are attracting attention for their energy efficiency and precise separation of counterions. However, ion-exchange membranes exhibit low ionic conductance and selectivity for ions with similar charges. In this study, we developed a novel ZIF-8 composite membrane with amine-modified nanochannels through an in situ PEI-assisted seeding and secondary growth method. An integral and uniform selective layer was formed, and the amine-modified nanochannels induced differential transport of Li+, Na+, K+, and Mg2+ via the dehydration-hydration process. The composite membrane possessed a lower energy barrier for Na+ transport (Ea = 13 kJ mol-1) compared to Mg2+ (Ea = 17 kJ mol-1), showing a Na+ flux of 3.7 × 10-8 mol·cm-2·s-1 and a Na+/Mg2+ permselectivity of 52 (∼60 times higher than the commercial membrane). The physicochemical and electrochemical properties of the composite membranes were systematically characterized, revealing the significant role of the Mg2+ layer in increasing Mg2+ repulsion and facilitating Na+ diffusion. Besides, DFT simulation and interaction energy calculation elucidated that a moderate binding energy and compensation effect between ions and nanochannels, which can be precisely regulated by PEI incorporation, are crucial for the favorable passage of Na+ while maintaining high Mg2+ rejection. The membrane also demonstrated performance stability during a 5-day test and maintained high selectivity across varying salinity and pH conditions. This work advances the development of efficient cation separation membranes for sustainable desalination and resource recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, P.R. China
| | - Wenjuan Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, P.R. China
| | - Weifu Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, P.R. China
| | - Peizhi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, P.R. China
| | - Lei Ni
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, P.R. China
| | - Shaopo Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, P.R. China
| | - Jun Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, P.R. China
| | - Wei Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, P.R. China
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12
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Wang R, Ding L, Xue J, Wu H, Cai C, Qiao Z, Caro J, Wang H. Engineering of Covalent Organic Framework Nanosheet Membranes for Fast and Efficient Ion Sieving: Charge-Induced Cation Confined Transport. SMALL METHODS 2025; 9:e2401111. [PMID: 39404812 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202401111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2024] [Revised: 10/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2025]
Abstract
Artificial membranes with ion-selective nanochannels for high-efficiency mono/divalent ion separation are of great significance in water desalination and lithium-ion extraction, but they remain a great challenge due to the slight physicochemical property differences of various ions. Here, the successful synthesis of two-dimensional TpEBr-based covalent organic framework (COF) nanosheets, and the stacking of them as consecutive membranes for efficient mono/divalent ion separation is reported. The obtained COF nanosheet membranes with intrinsic one-dimensional pores and abundant cationic sites display high permeation rates for monovalent cations (K+, Na+, Li+) of ≈0.1-0.3 mol m-2 h-1, while the value of divalent cations (Ca2+, Mg2+) is two orders of magnitude lower, resulting in an ultrahigh mono/divalent cation separation selectivity up to 130.4, superior to the state-of-the-art ion sieving membranes. Molecular dynamics simulations further confirm that electrostatic interaction controls the confined transport of cations through the cationic COF nanopores, where multivalent cations face i) strong electrostatic repulsion and ii) steric transport hindrance since the large hydrated divalent cations are retarded due to a layer of strongly adsorbed chloride ions at the pore wall, while smaller monovalent cations can swiftly permeate through the nanopores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Membrane Materials and Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Green Chemical Product Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Li Ding
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Membrane Materials and Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jian Xue
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Green Chemical Product Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Haoyu Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Membrane Materials and Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Chengzhi Cai
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for New Energy and Green Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Zhiwei Qiao
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for New Energy and Green Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Jürgen Caro
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Leibniz University of Hannover, Callinstrasse 3A, 30167, Hannover, Germany
| | - Haihui Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Membrane Materials and Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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13
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Patel SK, Iddya A, Pan W, Qian J, Elimelech M. Approaching infinite selectivity in membrane-based aqueous lithium extraction via solid-state ion transport. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2025; 11:eadq9823. [PMID: 40020050 PMCID: PMC11870030 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adq9823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2025] [Indexed: 03/03/2025]
Abstract
As the gap between lithium supply and demand continues to widen, the need to develop ion-selective technologies, which can efficiently extract lithium from unconventional water sources, grows increasingly crucial. In this study, we investigated the fundamentals of applying a solid-state electrolyte (SSE), typically used in battery technologies, as a membrane material for aqueous lithium extraction. We find that the anhydrous hopping of lithium ions through the ordered and confined SSE lattice is highly distinct from ion migration through the hydrated free volumes of conventional nanoporous membranes, thus culminating in unique membrane transport properties. Notably, we reveal that the SSE provides unparalleled performance with respect to ion-ion selectivity, consistently demonstrating lithium ion selectivity values that are immeasurable by even the part-per-billion detection limit of mass spectrometry. Such exceptional selectivity is shown to be the result of the characteristic size and charge exclusion mechanisms of solid-state ion transport, which may be leveraged in the design of next-generation membranes for resource recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohum K. Patel
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8286, USA
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14
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Zhu X, Liu F, Meng L, Gao Q, Wang X, Lou M, Xu X, Zhang W, Li F, Van der Bruggen B. MXene Membranes Inserted with Tannic Acid Etched MOF Nanocrystals for Ultrafast Water Permeation: Elucidating the Water Transport Mechanism in Nanoconfined Interlaminar Channels. NANO LETTERS 2025; 25:2810-2819. [PMID: 39908572 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c05985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2025]
Abstract
Utilizing pore and interlayer engineering within nanoconfined interlaminar channels represents an ingenious approach to design highly permselective MXene (Ti3C2TX) membranes. Herein, the tannic acid (TA) etched ZIF-8 (TZIF-8) nanocrystals with hollow structures were effectually inserted into the interlayer spacing of MXene membranes. First, the density functional theory (DFT) results demonstrated the reaction mechanism between TA and ZIF-8. Then, the underlying mechanism of enhanced water-adsorptive properties for MXene/TZIF-8 membrane was due to the higher binding energy of water/TZIF-8 system than that of water/ZIF-8 system, elucidated by molecular dynamic simulation. Furthermore, the low mass transfer resistance and abundant mass transfer pathways of the MXene/TZIF-8 membrane were comprehensively proved by various experimental conclusions, characterizations and simulation calculations. As a result, the optimal MXene/TZIF-8 membrane exhibited high water permeance and concurrently satisfactory separation efficacy toward various oil/water emulsions. This work is anticipated to deepen the comprehension of high-efficiency water transport along interbedded nanochannels in MXene membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Zhu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Fangjian Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Lijun Meng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
- Shanghai Institution Pollution Control & Ecology Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Qieyuan Gao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Xi Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Mengmeng Lou
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, China
| | - Xiangmin Xu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Fang Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
- Shanghai Institution Pollution Control & Ecology Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Bart Van der Bruggen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium
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15
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Wu Y, Chen Z, Lu C, Hu C, Qu J. Pulsatile Ion Transport in Nanofiltration Membranes Coupled with Electrically Tunable Pore and Hydroxyl Electrostatic Interactions. ACS NANO 2025; 19:4993-5004. [PMID: 39848794 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c17637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2025]
Abstract
Pulsatile ion transport facilitates the adjusted transfer of substances, meeting the requirements for the gradient and timed separation of multiple components in membrane processes. Responsive nanofiltration membranes are thus currently receiving widespread attention but face limitations due to their narrow performance adjustment range. Herein, hydroxyl functional groups were introduced into electrically responsive nanofiltration membranes to broaden the adjustment range of separation performance through a combination of pore size sieving and functional group interactions, resulting in a greater change in rejection and flux compared to the original membrane. Membrane pore size is regulated by polypyrrole volume changes and becomes more variable when the cation's hydration radius is smaller. Although the hydroxyl group did not affect the charge transfer or volume change capacity of polypyrrole, it enhanced ion-pore interactions during ion transport, which was particularly pronounced in smaller nanochannels. The size effect of functional group interactions more strongly enhances the transmembrane energy barrier in the reduced state compared with the oxidized state, ultimately resulting in greater modulation of performance. This coupling strategy provides insights into the design of responsive membranes, offering the potential to achieve gradient separation of various solutes.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhibin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chenghai Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chengzhi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiuhui Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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16
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Dangayach R, Jeong N, Demirel E, Uzal N, Fung V, Chen Y. Machine Learning-Aided Inverse Design and Discovery of Novel Polymeric Materials for Membrane Separation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2025; 59:993-1012. [PMID: 39680111 PMCID: PMC11755723 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c08298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2024] [Revised: 12/03/2024] [Accepted: 12/04/2024] [Indexed: 12/17/2024]
Abstract
Polymeric membranes have been widely used for liquid and gas separation in various industrial applications over the past few decades because of their exceptional versatility and high tunability. Traditional trial-and-error methods for material synthesis are inadequate to meet the growing demands for high-performance membranes. Machine learning (ML) has demonstrated huge potential to accelerate design and discovery of membrane materials. In this review, we cover strengths and weaknesses of the traditional methods, followed by a discussion on the emergence of ML for developing advanced polymeric membranes. We describe methodologies for data collection, data preparation, the commonly used ML models, and the explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) tools implemented in membrane research. Furthermore, we explain the experimental and computational validation steps to verify the results provided by these ML models. Subsequently, we showcase successful case studies of polymeric membranes and emphasize inverse design methodology within a ML-driven structured framework. Finally, we conclude by highlighting the recent progress, challenges, and future research directions to advance ML research for next generation polymeric membranes. With this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive guideline to researchers, scientists, and engineers assisting in the implementation of ML to membrane research and to accelerate the membrane design and material discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghav Dangayach
- School
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Nohyeong Jeong
- School
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Elif Demirel
- School
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Nigmet Uzal
- School
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Department
of Civil Engineering, Abdullah Gul University, 38039 Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Victor Fung
- School
of Computational Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Yongsheng Chen
- School
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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17
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Zha XJ, Pan KQ, Jia J, Pu JH, Ke K, Bao RY, Liu ZY, Xu J, Yang W. Anisotropic Nanofluidic Ionic Skin for Pressure-Independent Thermosensing. ACS NANO 2025; 19:1845-1855. [PMID: 39749714 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c17386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2025]
Abstract
Ionic skin can mimic human skin to sense both temperature and pressure simultaneously. However, a significant challenge remains in creating precise ionic skins resistant to external stimuli interference when subjected to pressure. In this study, we present an innovative approach to address this challenge by introducing a highly anisotropic nanofluidic ionic skin (ANIS) composed of carboxylated cellulose nanofibril (CNF)-reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibrillar network achieved through a straightforward one-step hot drawing method. The inherent anisotropic nanostructures endowed the ANIS with a modulus (20.9 ± 4.9 MPa) comparable to that of human cartilage and skin, alongside higher fracture energy (41.4 ± 0.3 kJ/m2) and fatigue threshold (1360 J/m2). Incorporating carboxylated CNF not only improves the negative potential but also increases the ionic conductivity of ANIS up to 0.001 S/cm, even at very low ionic concentration (1.0 × 10-6 M). Furthermore, the ANIS exhibits pressure-independent temperature sensitivity due to its high deformation-resistant performance. Thus, this work introduces a facile strategy for fabricating ANIS with pressure-independent thermosensing properties, promising prospects for practical healthcare applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Jun Zha
- Department of Ultrasound, Medical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu 610031 Sichuan, China
| | | | - Jin Jia
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Chengdu 610065 Sichuan, China
| | | | - Kai Ke
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Chengdu 610065 Sichuan, China
| | - Rui-Ying Bao
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Chengdu 610065 Sichuan, China
| | - Zheng-Ying Liu
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Chengdu 610065 Sichuan, China
| | | | - Wei Yang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Chengdu 610065 Sichuan, China
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18
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Zheng F, Li H, Yang J, Wang H, Qin G, Chen D, Sha J. Modulation of Ion Transport in Nanopores Using Polyethylene Glycol. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:26742-26750. [PMID: 39626079 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c03911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2024]
Abstract
Ion transport in nanopores is crucial for various biological and technological processes, exhibiting unique behaviors compared to bulk solutions. In this study, we systematically explore how polyethylene glycol (PEG) modulates ion transport within a conical nanopore. Our experiments reveal that introducing PEG into the ionic solution induces a reversal in ion current rectification (ICR). We further investigate the impact of PEG concentration, molecular weight, nanopore size, and cation type on ion transport. Additionally, we assess three different configurations of PEG introduction, identifying diffusive flow driven by an asymmetric cation distribution within the nanopore as a dominant transport mechanism. Our results confirm that the interactions between PEG and cations significantly affect ion transport properties. These findings advance our understanding of macromolecular crowding effects on ion transport and suggest potential applications in iontronic devices and biomolecule sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
- School of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - HongLuan Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Haiyan Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Guangle Qin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
- Jiangsu Automation Research Institute, Lianyungang 222000, China
| | - Dapeng Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
- Jiangsu Automation Research Institute, Lianyungang 222000, China
| | - Jingjie Sha
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
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19
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Xu S, Lin H, Li G, Han Q, Wang J, Liu F. Heterogeneous Covalent Organic Framework Membranes Mediated by Polycations for Efficient Ions Separation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2405539. [PMID: 39478106 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202405539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2024] [Revised: 10/10/2024] [Indexed: 12/28/2024]
Abstract
Precise ions sieving at angstrom-scale is gaining tremendous attention thanks to its significant impact at the water-energy nexus. Herein, a novel polycation-modulated interfacial polymerization (IP) strategy is developed to prepare a heterogeneously charged covalent organic frameworks (COFs) membrane. Cationic poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) regulates the growth and assembly of anionic COFs nanosheets, which thus provides a negative, smooth top surface and positive, rough bottom surface, indicating the presence of heterogeneously charged angstrom-scale channels through the membrane. Experiments and simulations are conducted to understand the facilitated ions transport behavior relative to specific interactions raised by heterogeneously charged channels and angstrom-scale steric hinderance as well, rendering the membrane with robust mono-/divalent cations sieving capabilities. The selectivity (61.6) of Li+ to Mg2+ in mixed saline under the continuous cross-flow filtration mode is superior to most of the reported nanofiltration membranes. This polycation-mediated interfacial polymerization strategy offers a compelling opportunity to develop versatile heterogeneously charged COF membranes for exquisite ion sieving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuting Xu
- Zhejiang International Joint Laboratory of Advanced Membrane Materials & Processes, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, 315201, China
- Ningbo College of Materials Technology & Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Haibo Lin
- Zhejiang International Joint Laboratory of Advanced Membrane Materials & Processes, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, 315201, China
- Ningbo College of Materials Technology & Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Guiliang Li
- Zhejiang International Joint Laboratory of Advanced Membrane Materials & Processes, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, 315201, China
- Ningbo College of Materials Technology & Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qiu Han
- Zhejiang International Joint Laboratory of Advanced Membrane Materials & Processes, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, 315201, China
- Ningbo College of Materials Technology & Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jianqiang Wang
- Zhejiang International Joint Laboratory of Advanced Membrane Materials & Processes, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, 315201, China
- Ningbo College of Materials Technology & Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fu Liu
- Zhejiang International Joint Laboratory of Advanced Membrane Materials & Processes, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, 315201, China
- Ningbo College of Materials Technology & Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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20
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Abou-Elyazed AS, Li X, Meng J. Engineering Ion Affinity of Zr-MOF Hybrid PDMS Membranes for the Selective Separation of Na +/Ca 2. Molecules 2024; 29:5297. [PMID: 39598686 PMCID: PMC11596945 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29225297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2024] [Revised: 11/05/2024] [Accepted: 11/07/2024] [Indexed: 11/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Ion-selective separation, especially Na+/Ca2+ separation, is of significant importance in the realms of biomimetic research and the fabrication of biomimetic devices, underscoring the pivotal role that sodium and calcium ions play in cellular metabolism. However, the analogous ionic radii and charge densities shared by sodium and calcium ions significantly impede their effective discrimination, presenting formidable challenges for the precise engineering of ion separation materials, such as separation membranes. In this study, a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) separation membrane hybridized with zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks (UiO-66, UiO-66-NO2 and UiO-66-NH2) was constructed. Through the meticulous design of the MOF functional groups, the material's affinity for specific ions was modulated, thereby achieving efficient Na+/Ca2+ separation. Notably, the PDMS integrated with amino-modified Zr-MOF exhibited an efficacious selective separation of Na+ and Ca2+ ions. The interaction between the amino group of UiO-66-NH2 and Ca2+ gave rise to the observed superior selectivity toward Ca2+ cations and enhanced separation efficiencies of up to 64% compared to pristine PDMS for UiO-66-NH2-embedded membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed S. Abou-Elyazed
- Institute of Intelligent Manufacturing Technology, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Shenzhen 518055, China;
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shebin EL-Kom 32512, Egypt
| | - Xiaolin Li
- Institute of Intelligent Manufacturing Technology, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Shenzhen 518055, China;
| | - Jing Meng
- School of Civil Engineering, Nantong Institute of Technology, Nantong 226002, China
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21
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Dai L, Guan K, Mai Z, Fang S, Zhao S, Hu M, Li Z, Zhang P, Xu P, Matsuyama H. Sodium-Ion Traps in a Two-Dimensional Confined Channel for Effective Water and Ion Selective Transport. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:13686-13694. [PMID: 39413395 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c03650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2024]
Abstract
Nanoconfined interlayer channels in two-dimensional (2D) laminates are promising for the construction of novel permselective membranes. Controlling the interlayer spacing and modifying the interlayer chemical microenvironment are effective for high-efficiency separation. However, manipulating ion-diffusion energy barriers in confined channels is challenging, and their role in selective water-ion transport is unclear. This study engineered sodium-ion traps (SITs) in confined graphene oxide (GO) interlayer channels by incorporating N-phenylaza-15-crown-5 (NPCE) to regulate the ion-diffusion energy barriers. Partial reduction of GO enhanced membrane stability and enabled precise adjustment of interlayer spacing, while the addition of NPCE further constricted the free space and entrapped sodium ions by increasing their transport energy barriers. The optimized membrane with NPCE-dominated SITs achieved mono/monovalent-ion efficient sieving (K+/Na+ ≈ 10.2, and Li+/Na+ ≈ 6.7) and rejection of Na2SO4 (∼99.0%) and NaCl (∼90.0%), while maintaining stable performance for >1500 h. The findings provide new insights into manipulating transport energy barriers and modifying other 2D material laminates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liheng Dai
- Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Kecheng Guan
- Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Zhaohuan Mai
- Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Shang Fang
- Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Shuzhen Zhao
- Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Mengyang Hu
- Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Zhan Li
- Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Ping Xu
- Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Hideto Matsuyama
- Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
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22
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Gan N, Lin Y, Wu B, Qiu Y, Sun H, Su J, Yu J, Lin Q, Matsuyama H. Supramolecular-coordinated nanofiltration membranes with quaternary-ammonium Cyclen for efficient lithium extraction from high magnesium/lithium ratio brine. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 268:122703. [PMID: 39492143 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2024] [Revised: 10/21/2024] [Accepted: 10/25/2024] [Indexed: 11/05/2024]
Abstract
Ion-selective membranes (ISM) with sub-nanosized pore channels hold significant potential for applications in saline wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Herein, novel synergistic ion channels featuring bi-periodic structures were constructed through the coordination of functional Cyclen (quaternary_1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane, Q_Cyclen) and Cu2+-m-Phenylenediamine (Cu2+-MPD) to develop supramolecular membranes for lithium extraction. The exterior quaternary ammonium-rich sites exhibit a significant Donnan exclusion effect, resulting in tremendous mono/divalent (Li+/Mg2+) ion selectivity; while the interior regular-confined channels of Cyclen yield a fast vehicular pathway, facilitating water molecules and Li+ ion-selective transport. The optimized membrane exhibited an increased water permeance of 19.2 L·m-2·h-1·bar-1 and simultaneously promoted Li+/Mg2+ selectivity (achieving a selectivity of 18.5 under a Mg2+/Li+ mass ratio of 30), surpassing the trade-off limit of conventional nanofiltration membranes. Due to the acquired excellent Li+/Mg2+ selectivity, lithium extraction from simulated salt-lake brines was successfully achieved through a two-stage nanofiltration process, reducing the Mg2+/Li+ mass ratio from 40 to 1.1. This work validates the applicability of macrocyclic with intrinsic sub-nanosized channels and desired multifunctionality for developing high-performance ISM for efficient lithium separation and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Gan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China; School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuqing Lin
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Baolong Wu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yulong Qiu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Haopan Sun
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jingwen Su
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jianguo Yu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Qian Lin
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China.
| | - Hideto Matsuyama
- Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology, Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
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23
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Liu Q, Liu M, Zhang Z, Yin C, Long J, Wei M, Wang Y. Covalent organic framework membranes with vertically aligned nanorods for efficient separation of rare metal ions. Nat Commun 2024; 15:9221. [PMID: 39455582 PMCID: PMC11511856 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53625-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 10/14/2024] [Indexed: 10/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as promising platforms for membrane separations, while remaining challenging for separating ions in a fast and selective way. Here, we propose a concept of COF membranes with vertically aligned nanorods for efficient separation of rare metal ions. A quaternary ammonium-functionalized monomer is rationally designed to synthesize COF layers on porous substrates via interfacial synthesis. The COF layers possess an asymmetric structure, in which the upper part displays vertically aligned nanorods, while the lower part exhibits an ultrathin dense layer. The vertically aligned nanorods enlarge contact areas to harvest water and monovalent ions, and the ultrathin dense layer enables both high permeability and selectivity. The resulting membranes exhibit exceptional separation performances, for instance, a Cs+ permeation rate of 0.33 mol m-2 h-1, close to the value in porous substrates, and selectivities with Cs+/La3+ up to 75.9 and 69.8 in single and binary systems, highlighting the great potentials in the separation of rare metal ions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, and College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, and College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Congcong Yin
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianghai Long
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, and College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mingjie Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, and College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, and College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China.
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, Jiangsu, China.
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24
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Yang HR, Liu Y, Hu SJ, Zhang MY, Wu D, Zheng L, Zhong LJ, Wang C, Liu H. Advanced electrochemical membrane technologies for near-complete resource recovery and zero-discharge of urine: Performance optimization and evaluation. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 263:122175. [PMID: 39088878 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
The depletion of nutrient sources in fertilizers demands a paradigm shift in the treatment of nutrient-rich wastewater, such as urine, to enable efficient resource recovery and high-value conversion. This study presented an integrated bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) and hollow fiber membrane (HFM) system for near-complete resource recovery and zero-discharge from urine treatment. Computational simulations and experimental validations demonstrated that a higher voltage (20 V) significantly enhanced energy utilization, while an optimal flow rate of 0.4 L/min effectively mitigated the negative effects of concentration polarization and electro-osmosis on system performance. Within 40 min, the process separated 90.13% of the salts in urine, with an energy consumption of only 8.45 kWh/kgbase. Utilizing a multi-chamber structure for selective separation, the system achieved recovery efficiencies of 89% for nitrogen, 96% for phosphorus, and 95% for potassium from fresh urine, converting them into high-value products such as 85 mM acid, 69.5 mM base, and liquid fertilizer. According to techno-economic analysis, the cost of treating urine using this system at the lab-scale was $6.29/kg of products (including acid, base, and (NH4)2SO4), which was significantly lower than the $20.44/kg cost for the precipitation method to produce struvite. Excluding fixed costs, a net profit of $18.24/m3 was achieved through the recovery of valuable products from urine using this system. The pilot-scale assessment showed that the net benefit amounts to $19.90/m3 of urine, demonstrating significant economic feasibility. This study presents an effective approach for the near-complete resource recovery and zero-discharge treatment of urine, offering a practical solution for sustainable nutrient recycling and wastewater management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Ran Yang
- Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Chongqing 400714, China.
| | - Shu-Jie Hu
- Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Meng-Yue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Di Wu
- Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Lei Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Lin-Jiang Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Chuan Wang
- Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Chongqing 400714, China
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25
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Sun Q, Song Z, Du J, Yao A, Liu L, He W, Hassan SU, Guan J, Liu J. Covalent Organic Framework Membranes with Regulated Orientation for Monovalent Cation Sieving. ACS NANO 2024; 18:27065-27076. [PMID: 39308162 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c10558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/02/2024]
Abstract
Continuous covalent organic framework (COF) thin membranes have garnered broad concern over the past few years due to their merits of low energy requirements, operational simplicity, ecofriendliness, and high separation efficiency in the application process. This study marks the first instance of fabricating two distinct, self-supporting COF membranes from identical building blocks through solvent modulation. Notably, the precision of the COF membrane's separation capabilities is substantially enhanced by altering the pore alignment from a random to a vertical orientation. Within these confined channels, the membrane with vertically aligned pores and micron-scale stacking thickness demonstrates rapid and selective transportation of Li+ ions over Na+ and K+ ions, achieving Li+/K+ and Li+/Na+ selectivity ratios of 38.7 and 7.2, respectively. This research not only reveals regulated orientation and layer stacking in COF membranes via strategic solvent selection but also offers a potent approach for developing membranes specialized in Li+ ion separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Sun
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230052, China
| | - Ziye Song
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230052, China
| | - Jingcheng Du
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230052, China
| | - Ayan Yao
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230052, China
| | - Linghao Liu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230052, China
| | - Wen He
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230052, China
| | - Shabi Ul Hassan
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230052, China
| | - Jian Guan
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230052, China
| | - Jiangtao Liu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230052, China
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26
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Meng QW, Li J, Lai Z, Xian W, Wang S, Chen F, Dai Z, Zhang L, Yin H, Ma S, Sun Q. Optimizing selectivity via membrane molecular packing manipulation for simultaneous cation and anion screening. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eado8658. [PMID: 39321297 PMCID: PMC11423885 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado8658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Advancing membranes with enhanced solute-solute selectivity is essential for expanding membrane technology applications, yet it presents a notable challenge. Drawing inspiration from the unparalleled selectivity of biological systems, which benefit from the sophisticated spatial organization of functionalities, we posit that manipulating the arrangement of the membrane's building blocks, an aspect previously given limited attention, can address this challenge. We demonstrate that optimizing the face-to-face orientation of building blocks during the assembly of covalent-organic-framework (COF) membranes improves ion-π interactions with multivalent ions. This optimization leads to extraordinary selectivity in differentiating between monovalent cations and anions from their multivalent counterparts, achieving selectivity factors of 214 for K+/Al3+ and 451 for NO3-/PO43-. Leveraging this attribute, the COF membrane facilitates the direct extraction of NaCl from seawater with a purity of 99.57%. These findings offer an alternative approach for designing highly selective membrane materials, offering promising prospects for advancing membrane-based technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Wei Meng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Jianguo Li
- Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Zhuozhi Lai
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Weipeng Xian
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Sai Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Fang Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Zhifeng Dai
- Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Hong Yin
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Shengqian Ma
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, 1508 W Mulberry St., Denton, TX 76201, USA
| | - Qi Sun
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
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27
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Zhai X, Lin S, Li X, Wang Z. The Hidden Role of the Dielectric Effect in Nanofiltration: A Novel Perspective to Unravel New Ion Separation Mechanisms. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:15874-15884. [PMID: 39173047 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c07510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Nanofiltration (NF) membranes play a critical role in separation processes, necessitating an in-depth understanding of their selective mechanisms. Existing NF models predominantly include steric and Donnan mechanisms as primary mechanisms. However, these models often fail in elucidating the NF selectivity between ions of similar dimensions and the same valence. To address this gap, an innovative methodology was proposed to unravel new selective mechanisms by quantifying the nominal dielectric effect isolated from steric and Donnan exclusion through fitted pore dielectric constants by regression analysis. We demonstrated that the nominal dielectric effect encompassed unidentified selective mechanisms of significant relevance by establishing the correlation between the fitted pore dielectric constants and these hindrance factors. Our findings revealed that dehydration-induced ion-membrane interaction, rather than ion dehydration, played a pivotal role in ion partitioning within NF membranes. This interaction was closely linked to the nondeformable fraction of hydrated ions. Further delineation of the dielectric effect showed that favorable interactions between ions and membrane functional groups contributed to entropy-driven selectivity, which is a key factor in explaining ion selectivity differences between ions sharing the same size and valence. This study deepens our understanding of NF selectivity and sheds light on the design of highly selective membranes for water and wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohu Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Tongji Advanced Membrane Technology Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shihong Lin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235-1831, United States
| | - Xuesong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Tongji Advanced Membrane Technology Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Tongji Advanced Membrane Technology Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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28
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Liu K, Epsztein R, Lin S, Qu J, Sun M. Ion-Ion Selectivity of Synthetic Membranes with Confined Nanostructures. ACS NANO 2024; 18:21633-21650. [PMID: 39114876 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c00540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic membranes featuring confined nanostructures have emerged as a prominent category of leading materials that can selectively separate target ions from complex water matrices. Further advancements in these membranes will pressingly rely on the ability to elucidate the inherent connection between transmembrane ion permeation behaviors and the ion-selective nanostructures. In this review, we first abstract state-of-the-art nanostructures with a diversity of spatial confinements in current synthetic membranes. Next, the underlying mechanisms that govern ion permeation under the spatial nanoconfinement are analyzed. We then proceed to assess ion-selective membrane materials with a focus on their structural merits that allow ultrahigh selectivity for a wide range of monovalent and divalent ions. We also highlight recent advancements in experimental methodologies for measuring ionic permeability, hydration numbers, and energy barriers to transport. We conclude by putting forth the future research prospects and challenges in the realm of high-performance ion-selective membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kairui Liu
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Razi Epsztein
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Shihong Lin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235-1831, United States
| | - Jiuhui Qu
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Meng Sun
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
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29
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Xiong J, Ye W, Mu L, Lu X, Zhu J. Separation of Mono-/Divalent Ions via Controlled Dynamic Adsorption/Desorption at Polythiophene Coated Carbon Surface with Flow-Electrode Capacitive Deionization. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2400288. [PMID: 38593337 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202400288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Capacitive deionization for selective separation of ions is rarely reported since it relies on the electrostatic attraction of oppositely charged ions with no capability to distinguish ions of different valent states. Using molecular dynamic simulation, a screening process identified a hybrid material known as AC/PTh, which consists of activated carbon with a thin layer of polythiophene (PTh) coating. By utilizing AC/PTh as electrode material implementing the short-circuit cycle (SCC) mode in flow-electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI), selective separation of mono-/divalent ions can be realized via precise control of dynamic adsorption and desorption of mono-/divalent ions at a particular surface. Specifically, AC/PTh shows strong interaction with divalent ions but weak interaction with monovalent ions, the distribution of divalent ions can be enriched in the electric double layer after a couple of adsorption-desorption cycles. At Cu2+/Na+ molar ratio of 1:40, selectivity toward divalent ions can reach up to 110.3 in FCDI SCC mode at 1.0 V. This work presents a promising strategy for separating ions of different valence states in a continuously operated FCDI device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Wenkai Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Liwen Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Xiaohua Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Jiahua Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
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30
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Chen C, Wu X, Chen J, Liu S, Wang Y, Wu W, Zhang J, Wang J, Jiang Z. Built-in Electric Fields in Heterostructured Lamellar Membranes Enable Highly Efficient Rejection of Charged Mass. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202406113. [PMID: 38687257 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202406113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Separation membranes with homogeneous charge channels are the mainstream to reject charged mass by forming electrical double layer (EDL). However, the EDL often compresses effective solvent transport space and weakens channel-ion interaction. Here, built-in electric fields (BIEFs) are constructed in lamellar membranes by assembling the heterostructured nanosheets, which contain alternate positively-charged nanodomains and negatively-charged nanodomains. We demonstrate that the BIEFs are perpendicular to horizontal channel and the direction switches alternately, significantly weakening the EDL effect and forces ions to repeatedly collide with channel walls. Thus, highly efficient rejection for charged mass (salts, dyes, and organic acids/bases) and ultrafast water transport are achieved. Moreover, for desalination on four-stage filtration option, salt rejection reaches 99.9 % and water permeance reaches 19.2 L m-2 h-1 bar-1. Such mass transport behavior is quite different from that in homogeneous charge channels. Furthermore, the ion transport behavior in nanochannels is elucidated by validating horizontal projectile motion model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongchong Chen
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xiaoli Wu
- Henan Institute of Advanced Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Jingjing Chen
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Siyu Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yongzheng Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Wenjia Wu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jingtao Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Zhongyi Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin, 300072, China
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31
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Yin C, Liu L, Zhang Z, Du Y, Wang Y. Photo-Induced Geometry and Polarity Gradients in Covalent Organic Frameworks Enabling Fast and Durable Molecular Separations. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2309329. [PMID: 38221705 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202309329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Azobenzene, which activates its geometric and chemical structure under light stimulation enables noninvasive control of mass transport in many processes including membrane separations. However, producing azobenzene-decorated channels that have precise size tunability and favorable pore wall chemistry allowing fast and durable permeation to solvent molecules, remains a great challenge. Herein, an advanced membrane that comprises geometry and polarity gradients within covalent organic framework (COF) nanochannels utilizing photoisomerization of azobenzene groups is reported. Such functional variations afford reduced interfacial transfer resistance and enhanced solvent-philic pore channels, thus creating a fast solvent transport pathway without compromising selectivity. Moreover, the membrane sets up a densely covered defense layer to prevent foulant adhesion and the accumulation of cake layer, contributing to enhanced antifouling resistance to organic foulants, and a high recovery rate of solvent permeance. More importantly, the solvent permeance displays a negligible decline throughout the long-term filtration for over 40 days. This work reports the geometry and polarity gradients in COF channels induced by the conformation change of branched azobenzene groups and demonstrates the strong capability of this conformation change in realizing fast and durable molecular separations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Yin
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210096, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211816, P. R. China
| | - Lin Liu
- Institute of Advanced Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211816, P. R. China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211816, P. R. China
| | - Ya Du
- Institute of Advanced Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211816, P. R. China
| | - Yong Wang
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210096, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211816, P. R. China
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32
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Zhang H, Xing J, Wei G, Wang X, Chen S, Quan X. Electrostatic-induced ion-confined partitioning in graphene nanolaminate membrane for breaking anion-cation co-transport to enhance desalination. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4324. [PMID: 38773152 PMCID: PMC11109394 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48681-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Constructing nanolaminate membranes made of two-dimensional graphene oxide nanosheets has gained enormous interest in recent decades. However, a key challenge facing current graphene-based membranes is their poor rejection for monovalent salts due to the swelling-induced weak nanoconfinement and the transmembrane co-transport of anions and cations. Herein, we propose a strategy of electrostatic-induced ion-confined partitioning in a reduced graphene oxide membrane for breaking the correlation of anions and cations to suppress anion-cation co-transport, substantially improving the desalination performance. The membrane demonstrates a rejection of 95.5% for NaCl with a water permeance of 48.6 L m-2 h-1 bar-1 in pressure-driven process, and it also exhibits a salt rejection of 99.7% and a water flux of 47.0 L m-2 h-1 under osmosis-driven condition, outperforming the performance of reported graphene-based membranes. The simulation and calculation results unveil that the strong electrostatic attraction of membrane forces the hydrated Na+ to undergo dehydration and be exclusively confined in the nanochannels, strengthening the intra-nanochannel anion/cation partitioning, which refrains from the dynamical anion-cation correlations and thereby prevents anions and cations from co-transporting through the membrane. This study provides guidance for designing advanced desalination membranes and inspires the future development of membrane-based separation technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiguang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Jiajian Xing
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Gaoliang Wei
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Shuo Chen
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Xie Quan
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China.
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33
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Xu R, Zhang J, Kang Y, Yu H, Zhang W, Hua M, Pan B, Zhang X. Reversible pH-Gated MXene Membranes with Ultrahigh Mono-/Divalent-Ion Selectivity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:6835-6842. [PMID: 38570313 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Artificial ion channel membranes hold high promise in water treatment, nanofluidics, and energy conversion, but it remains a great challenge to construct such smart membranes with both reversible ion-gating capability and desirable ion selectivity. Herein, we constructed a smart MXene-based membrane via p-phenylenediamine functionalization (MLM-PPD) with highly stable and aligned two-dimensional subnanochannels, which exhibits reversible ion-gating capability and ultrahigh metal ion selectivity similar to biological ion channels. The pH-sensitive groups within the MLM-PPD channel confers excellent reversible Mg2+-gating capability with a pH-switching ratio of up to 100. The mono/divalent metal-ion selectivity up to 1243.8 and 400.9 for K+/Mg2+ and Li+/Mg2+, respectively, outperforms other reported membranes. Theoretical calculations combined with experimental results reveal that the steric hindrance and stronger PPD-ion interactions substantially enhance the energy barrier for divalent metal ions passing through the MLM-PPD, and thus leading to ultrahigh mono/divalent metal-ion selectivity. This work provides a new strategy for developing artificial-ion channel membranes with both reversible ion-gating functionality and high-ion selectivity for various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongming Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Research Center for Environmental Nanotechnology (ReCENT), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jingyue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Research Center for Environmental Nanotechnology (ReCENT), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yuan Kang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Hang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Research Center for Environmental Nanotechnology (ReCENT), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Weiming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Research Center for Environmental Nanotechnology (ReCENT), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ming Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Research Center for Environmental Nanotechnology (ReCENT), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Bingcai Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Research Center for Environmental Nanotechnology (ReCENT), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiwang Zhang
- UQ Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia
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34
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Qian H, Xu G, Yang S, Ang EH, Chen Q, Lin C, Liao J, Shen J. Advancing Lithium-Magnesium Separation: Pioneering Swelling-Embedded Cation Exchange Membranes Based on Sulfonated Poly(ether ether ketone). ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:18019-18029. [PMID: 38546167 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c00991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
With the continuous advancement of electrodialysis (ED) technology, there arises a demand for improved monovalent cation exchange membranes (CEMs). However, limitations in membrane materials and structures have resulted in the low selectivity of monovalent CEMs, posing challenges in the separation of Li+ and Mg2+. In this investigation, a designed CEM with a swelling-embedded structure was created by integrating a polyelectrolyte containing N-oxide Zwitterion into a sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) membrane, leveraging the notable solubility characteristic of SPEEK. The membranes were prepared by using N-oxide zwitterionic polyethylenimine (ZPEI) and 1,3,5-benzenetrlcarbonyl trichloride (TMC). The as-prepared membranes underwent systematic characterization and testing, evaluating their structural, physicochemical, electrochemical, and selective ED properties. During ED, the modified membranes demonstrated notable permeability selectivity for Li+ ions in binary (Li+/Mg2+) systems. Notably, at a constant current density of 2.5 mA cm-2, the modified membrane PEI-TMC/SPEEK exhibited significant permeability selectivity ( P Mg 2 + Li + = 5.63 ) in the Li+/Mg2+ system, while ZPEI-TMC/SPEEK outperformed, displaying remarkable permeability selectivity ( P Mg 2 + Li + = 12.43 ) in the Li+/Mg2+ system, surpassing commercial monovalent cation-selective membrane commercial monovalent cation-selective membrane (CIMS). Furthermore, in the Li+/Mg2+ binary system, Li+ flux reached 9.78 × 10-9 mol cm-2 s-1 for ZPEI-TMC/SPEEK, while its Mg2+ flux only reached 2.7 × 10-9 mol cm-2 s-1, showing potential for lithium-magnesium separation. In addition, ZPEI-TMC/SPEEK was tested for performance and stability at high current densities. This work offers a straightforward preparation process and an innovative structural approach, presenting methodological insights for the advancement of lithium and magnesium separation techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Qian
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Geting Xu
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Shanshan Yang
- Shijiazhuang Key Laboratory of Low Carbon Energy Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Shijiazhuang University, Shijiazhuang 050035, China
| | - Edison Huixiang Ang
- Nature Sciences and Science Education, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637616, Singapore
| | - Quan Chen
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Chenfei Lin
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Junbin Liao
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Jiangnan Shen
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
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35
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Zhao S, Zhao Z, Zhang X, Zha Z, Tong T, Wang R, Wang Z. Polyamide Membranes with Tunable Surface Charge Induced by Dipole-Dipole Interaction for Selective Ion Separation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:5174-5185. [PMID: 38451543 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Nanofiltration (NF) has the potential to achieve precise ion-ion separation at the subnanometer scale, which is necessary for resource recovery and a circular water economy. Fabricating NF membranes for selective ion separation is highly desirable but represents a substantial technical challenge. Dipole-dipole interaction is a mechanism of intermolecular attractions between polar molecules with a dipole moment due to uneven charge distribution, but such an interaction has not been leveraged to tune membrane structure and selectivity. Herein, we propose a novel strategy to achieve tunable surface charge of polyamide membrane by introducing polar solvent with a large dipole moment during interfacial polymerization, in which the dipole-dipole interaction with acyl chloride groups of trimesoyl chloride (TMC) can successfully intervene in the amidation reaction to alter the density of surface carboxyl groups in the polyamide selective layer. As a result, the prepared positively charged (PEI-TMC)-NH2 and negatively charged (PEI-TMC)-COOH composite membranes, which show similarly high water permeance, demonstrate highly selective separations of cations and anions in engineering applications, respectively. Our findings, for the first time, confirm that solvent-induced dipole-dipole interactions are able to alter the charge type and density of polyamide membranes and achieve tunable surface charge for selective and efficient ion separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Zhao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Zhenyi Zhao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Xinzhu Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Zhiyuan Zha
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Tiezheng Tong
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Rong Wang
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Membrane Technology Center, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Singapore 637141, Singapore
| | - Zhi Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
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36
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Wang M, Xiong Q, Wang M, Lewis NHC, Ying D, Yan G, Hoenig E, Han Y, Lee OS, Peng G, Zhou H, Schatz GC, Liu C. Lanthanide transport in angstrom-scale MoS 2-based two-dimensional channels. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadh1330. [PMID: 38489373 PMCID: PMC10942105 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh1330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs), critical to modern industry, are difficult to separate and purify, given their similar physicochemical properties originating from the lanthanide contraction. Here, we systematically study the transport of lanthanide ions (Ln3+) in artificially confined angstrom-scale two-dimensional channels using MoS2-based building blocks in an aqueous environment. The results show that the uptake and permeability of Ln3+ assume a well-defined volcano shape peaked at Sm3+. This transport behavior is rooted from the tradeoff between the barrier for dehydration and the strength of interactions of lanthanide ions in the confinement channels, reminiscent of the Sabatier principle. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that Sm3+, with moderate hydration free energy and intermediate affinity for channel interaction, exhibit the smallest dehydration degree, consequently resulting in the highest permeability. Our work not only highlights the distinct mass transport properties under extreme confinement but also demonstrates the potential of dialing confinement dimension and chemistry for greener REEs separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhan Wang
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Qinsi Xiong
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Maoyu Wang
- X-Ray Science Division, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Nicholas H. C. Lewis
- Department of Chemistry, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, and James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Dongchen Ying
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Gangbin Yan
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Eli Hoenig
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Yu Han
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - One-Sun Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Guiming Peng
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Hua Zhou
- X-Ray Science Division, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - George C. Schatz
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Chong Liu
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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37
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Mo RJ, Chen S, Huang LQ, Ding XL, Rafique S, Xia XH, Li ZQ. Regulating ion affinity and dehydration of metal-organic framework sub-nanochannels for high-precision ion separation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2145. [PMID: 38459053 PMCID: PMC10924084 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46378-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Membrane consisting of ordered sub-nanochannels has been pursued in ion separation technology to achieve applications including desalination, environment management, and energy conversion. However, high-precision ion separation has not yet been achieved owing to the lack of deep understanding of ion transport mechanism in confined environments. Biological ion channels can conduct ions with ultrahigh permeability and selectivity, which is inseparable from the important role of channel size and "ion-channel" interaction. Here, inspired by the biological systems, we report the high-precision separation of monovalent and divalent cations in functionalized metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes (UiO-66-(X)2, X = NH2, SH, OH and OCH3). We find that the functional group (X) and size of the MOF sub-nanochannel synergistically regulate the ion binding affinity and dehydration process, which is the key in enlarging the transport activation energy difference between target and interference ions to improve the separation performance. The K+/Mg2+ selectivity of the UiO-66-(OCH3)2 membrane reaches as high as 1567.8. This work provides a gateway to the understanding of ion transport mechanism and development of high-precision ion separation membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ri-Jian Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Li-Qiu Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin-Lei Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Saima Rafique
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Xing-Hua Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China.
| | - Zhong-Qiu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China.
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38
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Lv Y, Dai Z, Chen Y, Lu Y, Zhang X, Yu J, Zhai W, Yu Y, Wen Z, Cui Y, Liu W. Two-Dimensional Sulfonate-Functionalized Metal-Organic Framework Membranes for Efficient Lithium-Ion Sieving. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:2782-2788. [PMID: 38411082 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c04773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) membranes have shown promising potential for ion-selective separation but often suffer from the trade-off between permeability and selectivity. Herein, we report an ultrathin 2D sulfonate-functionalized metal-organic framework (MOF) membrane for efficient lithium-ion sieving. The narrow pores with angstrom precision in the MOF assist hydrated ions to partially remove the hydration shell, according to different hydration energies. The abundant sulfonate groups in the MOF channels serve as hopping sites for fast lithium-ion transport, contributing to a high Li-ion permeability. Then, the difference in affinity of the Li+, Na+, K+, and Mg2+ ions to the terminal sulfonate groups further enhances the Li-ion selectivity. The reported ultrathin MOF membrane overcomes the trade-off between permeability and selectivity and opens up a new avenue for highly permselective membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinjie Lv
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of High-resolution Electron Microscopy, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zhongqin Dai
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- The State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China
| | - Yu Chen
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of High-resolution Electron Microscopy, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yuan Lu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of High-resolution Electron Microscopy, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xinshui Zhang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of High-resolution Electron Microscopy, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jiameng Yu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of High-resolution Electron Microscopy, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Wenbo Zhai
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of High-resolution Electron Microscopy, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yi Yu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of High-resolution Electron Microscopy, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zhaoyin Wen
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- The State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China
| | - Yuanyuan Cui
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Wei Liu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of High-resolution Electron Microscopy, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
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39
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Zuo P, Ran J, Ye C, Li X, Xu T, Yang Z. Advancing Ion Selective Membranes with Micropore Ion Channels in the Interaction Confinement Regime. ACS NANO 2024; 18:6016-6027. [PMID: 38349043 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c12616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Ion exchange membranes allowing the passage of charge-carrying ions have established their critical role in water, environmental, and energy-relevant applications. The design strategies for high-performance ion exchange membranes have evolved beyond creating microphase-separated membrane morphologies, which include advanced ion exchange membranes to ion-selective membranes. The properties and functions of ion-selective membranes have been repeatedly updated by the emergence of materials with subnanometer-sized pores and the understanding of ion movement under confined micropore ion channels. These research progresses have motivated researchers to consider even greater aims in the field, i.e., replicating the functions of ion channels in living cells with exotic materials or at least targeting fast and ion-specific transmembrane conduction. To help realize such goals, we briefly outline and comment on the fundamentals of rationally designing membrane pore channels for ultrafast and specific ion conduction, pore architecture/chemistry, and membrane materials. Challenges are discussed, and perspectives and outlooks are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Ran
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Reaction Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunchun Ye
- EastCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, U.K
| | - Xingya Li
- Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
| | - Tongwen Xu
- Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengjin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
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40
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Dischinger S, Miller DJ, Vermaas DA, Kingsbury RS. Unifying the Conversation: Membrane Separation Performance in Energy, Water, and Industrial Applications. ACS ES&T ENGINEERING 2024; 4:277-289. [PMID: 38357245 PMCID: PMC10862477 DOI: 10.1021/acsestengg.3c00475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Dense polymer membranes enable a diverse range of separations and clean energy technologies, including gas separation, water treatment, and renewable fuel production or conversion. The transport of small molecular and ionic solutes in the majority of these membranes is described by the same solution-diffusion mechanism, yet a comparison of membrane separation performance across applications is rare. A better understanding of how structure-property relationships and driving forces compare among applications would drive innovation in membrane development by identifying opportunities for cross-disciplinary knowledge transfer. Here, we aim to inspire such cross-pollination by evaluating the selectivity and electrochemical driving forces for 29 separations across nine different applications using a common framework grounded in the physicochemical characteristics of the permeating and rejected solutes. Our analysis shows that highly selective membranes usually exhibit high solute rejection, rather than fast solute permeation, and often exploit contrasts in the size and charge of solutes rather than a nonelectrostatic chemical property, polarizability. We also highlight the power of selective driving forces (e.g., the fact that applied electric potential acts on charged solutes but not on neutral ones) to enable effective separation processes, even when the membrane itself has poor selectivity. We conclude by proposing several research opportunities that are likely to impact multiple areas of membrane science. The high-level perspective of membrane separation across fields presented herein aims to promote cross-pollination and innovation by enabling comparisons of solute transport and driving forces among membrane separation applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah
M. Dischinger
- Chemical
Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Daniel J. Miller
- Chemical
Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - David A. Vermaas
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Delft University
of Technology, 2629HZ Delft, The
Netherlands
| | - Ryan S. Kingsbury
- Energy
Storage and Distributed Resources Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Andlinger Center for
Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
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41
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Chen JS, Wang J, Zhang JH, Guo ZY, Zhang PP, Guo XF, Liu J, Ji ZY. Electronanofiltration Membranes with a Bilayer Charged Structure Enable High Li +/Mg 2+ Selectivity. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:6632-6643. [PMID: 38272023 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c16092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Achieving separation of lithium and magnesium with similar radii is crucial for the current lithium extraction technology from salt lakes, which usually possess a high lithium-to-magnesium ratio. Herein, we proposed the facile sequential interfacial polymerization (SIP) approach to construct electronanofiltration membranes (ENFMs) with a bilayer charged structure consisting of a high positively charged surface and a negatively charged sublayer. The trimesoyl chloride (TMC) concentration was adjusted to enhance the -COOH content and negative charge of the polyamide sublayer to promote Li+ migration, and then the quaternized polyethylenimine was introduced to the membrane surface by the SIP process to increase the positive charge density on the surface of the ENFMs, which would block the migration of Mg2+ and enhance the Li+/Mg2+ selectivity of the ENFMs. The optimal quaternary-modified ENFMs achieved outstanding selectivity for Li+/Mg2+ (49.85) and high Li+ flux (4.10 × 10-8 mol cm-2 s-1) at a current density of 10 mA cm-2. Moreover, in simulated brines with low lithium concentration and high Mg2+/Li+ ratio, the optimal ENFMs also displayed elevated Li+/Mg2+ selectivity (>45), highlighting the substantial promise of the membranes for practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Shuai Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Seawater Utilization Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
- Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Marine Chemical Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Seawater Utilization Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
- Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Marine Chemical Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
| | - Ji-Hong Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Seawater Utilization Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
- Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Marine Chemical Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
| | - Zhi-Yuan Guo
- Engineering Research Center of Seawater Utilization Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
- Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Marine Chemical Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
| | - Pan-Pan Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Seawater Utilization Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
- Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Marine Chemical Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
| | - Xiao-Fu Guo
- Engineering Research Center of Seawater Utilization Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
- Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Marine Chemical Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Seawater Utilization Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
- Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Marine Chemical Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
| | - Zhi-Yong Ji
- Engineering Research Center of Seawater Utilization Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
- Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Marine Chemical Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
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42
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Wang R, Lin S. Membrane Design Principles for Ion-Selective Electrodialysis: An Analysis for Li/Mg Separation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38324772 PMCID: PMC10882969 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Selective electrodialysis (ED) is a promising membrane-based process to separate Li+ from Mg2+, which is the most critical step for Li extraction from brine lakes. This study theoretically compares the ED-based Li/Mg separation performance of different monovalent selective cation exchange membranes (CEMs) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes at the coupon scale using a unified mass transport model, i.e., a solution-friction model. We demonstrated that monovalent selective CEMs with a dense surface thin film like a polyamide film are more effective in enhancing the Li/Mg separation performance than those with a loose but highly charged thin film. Polyamide film-coated CEMs when used in ED have a performance similar to that of polyamide-based NF membranes when used in NF. NF membranes, when expected to replace monovalent selective CEMs in ED for Li/Mg separation, will require a thin support layer with low tortuosity and high porosity to reduce the internal concentration polarization. The coupon-scale performance analysis and comparison provide new insights into the design of composite membranes used for ED-based selective ion-ion separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyu Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235-1831, United States
| | - Shihong Lin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235-1831, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235-1831, United States
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43
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Yue S, Nandy A, Kulik HJ. Discovering Molecular Coordination Environment Trends for Selective Ion Binding to Molecular Complexes Using Machine Learning. J Phys Chem B 2023. [PMID: 38038675 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c06416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
The design of ion-selective materials with improved separation efficacy and efficiency is paramount, as current technologies fail to meet real-world deployment challenges. Selectivity in these materials can be informed by local ion binding in confined membrane ion channels. In this study, we utilize a data-driven approach to investigate design features in small molecular complexes coordinating ions as simplified models of ion channels. We curate a data set of 563 alkali metal coordinating molecular complexes (i.e., with Li+, Na+, or K+) from the Cambridge Structural Database and calculate differential ion binding energies using density functional theory. Using this information, we probe when and why structures favor exchange with alternate ions. Our analysis reveals that energetic preferences are related to ion size but are largely due to chemical interactions rather than structural reorganization. We identify unique trends in the selectivity for Li+ over other alkali ions, including the presence of N coordination atoms, planar coordination geometry, and small coordinating ring sizes. We use machine learning models to identify the key contributions of both geometric and electronic features in predicting selective ion binding. These physical insights offer preliminary guidance into the design of optimal membranes for ion selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwen Yue
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Aditya Nandy
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Heather J Kulik
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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44
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Jeong N, Epsztein R, Wang R, Park S, Lin S, Tong T. Exploring the Knowledge Attained by Machine Learning on Ion Transport across Polyamide Membranes Using Explainable Artificial Intelligence. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:17851-17862. [PMID: 36917705 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have increasingly applied machine learning (ML) to aid in performance and material design associated with membrane separation. However, whether the knowledge attained by ML with a limited number of available data is enough to capture and validate the fundamental principles of membrane science remains elusive. Herein, we applied explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) to thoroughly investigate the knowledge learned by ML on the mechanisms of ion transport across polyamide reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes by leveraging 1,585 data from 26 membrane types. The Shapley additive explanation method based on cooperative game theory was used to unveil the influences of various ion and membrane properties on the model predictions. XAI shows that the ML can capture the important roles of size exclusion and electrostatic interaction in regulating membrane separation properly. XAI also identifies that the mechanisms governing ion transport possess different relative importance to cation and anion rejections during RO and NF filtration. Overall, we provide a framework to evaluate the knowledge underlying the ML model prediction and demonstrate that ML is able to learn fundamental mechanisms of ion transport across polyamide membranes, highlighting the importance of elucidating model interpretability for more reliable and explainable ML applications to membrane selection and design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nohyeong Jeong
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Razi Epsztein
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Ruoyu Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235-1831, United States
| | - Shinyun Park
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Shihong Lin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235-1831, United States
- Department of Chemical and Bimolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235-1831, United States
| | - Tiezheng Tong
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
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45
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Zhou X, Shevate R, Huang D, Cao T, Shen X, Hu S, Mane AU, Elam JW, Kim JH, Elimelech M. Ceramic thin-film composite membranes with tunable subnanometer pores for molecular sieving. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7255. [PMID: 37945562 PMCID: PMC10636005 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42495-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Ceramic membranes are a promising alternative to polymeric membranes for selective separations, given their ability to operate under harsh chemical conditions. However, current fabrication technologies fail to construct ceramic membranes suitable for selective molecular separations. Herein, we demonstrate a molecular-level design of ceramic thin-film composite membranes with tunable subnanometer pores for precise molecular sieving. Through burning off the distributed carbonaceous species of varied dimensions within hybrid aluminum oxide films, we created membranes with tunable molecular sieving. Specifically, the membranes created with methanol showed exceptional selectivity toward monovalent and divalent salts. We attribute this observed selectivity to the dehydration of the large divalent ions within the subnanometer pores. As a comparison, smaller monovalent ions can rapidly permeate with an intact hydration shell. Lastly, the flux of neutral solutes through each fabricated aluminum oxide membrane was measured for the demonstration of tunable separation capability. Overall, our work provides the scientific basis for the design of ceramic membranes with subnanometer pores for molecular sieving using atomic layer deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuechen Zhou
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rahul Shevate
- Applied Materials Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, USA
| | - Dahong Huang
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Tianchi Cao
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Xin Shen
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shu Hu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Anil U Mane
- Applied Materials Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Elam
- Applied Materials Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, USA
| | - Jae-Hong Kim
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Menachem Elimelech
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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46
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Zheng J, Zhang S. Subnanoscale spatially confined heterogeneous Fenton reaction enables mineralization of perfluorooctanoic acid. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 246:120696. [PMID: 37806126 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Superoxide radical (•O2-) is capable of degrading perfluorinated compounds that are persistent in nature and cannot be removed by biological or advanced oxidation treatments, but the inherent drawback is the negligible reactivity of •O2-in aqueous phases due to the hydration effect. Here, we explored an innovative way to make use of •O2- by modulating a partial hydration state through spatial confinement control. We demonstrated this idea by conducting heterogeneous Fenton reaction with layered iron oxychloride (FeOCl) catalyst, wherein •O2-radicals produced and confined within the catalyst structure (interlayer spacing of 7.92 Å) showed defluorination effect dealing with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as model compound. The defluorination combined with advanced oxidation achieved mineralization. Mechanism study revealed that the confinement frustrated the hydration shell of •O2-with coordination number reduced from 3.3 (for bulk phase) to 1.89, and thereby changed its orbital electron properties and enhanced the nucleophilic ability. We further demonstrated a compact FeOCl membrane reactor with highly efficient degradation of PFOA (kobs up to 1.2 min-1) and cost-effective mineralization (2 × 10-6 $ per mgC), operated under ultrafiltration reaction mode. Our findings highlight the great interest of developing spatial confinement technology to modulate •O2--based reactions, as well as the feasibility of combining confinement catalyst structures with heterogeneous Fenton reaction to achieve the mineralization treatment goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Zheng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin, 300384 PR China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tongyan Road 38, Tianjin, 300350 PR China.
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47
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Yang X, Zhang N, Zhang J, Liu W, Zhao M, Lin S, Wang Z. Nanocomposite Hydrogel Engineered Janus Membrane for Membrane Distillation with Robust Fouling, Wetting, and Scaling Resistance. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:15725-15735. [PMID: 37787747 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Membrane distillation (MD) is considered to be rather promising for high-salinity wastewater reclamation. However, its practical viability is seriously challenged by membrane wetting, fouling, and scaling issues arising from the complex components of hypersaline wastewater. It remains extremely difficult to overcome all three challenges at the same time. Herein, a nanocomposite hydrogel engineered Janus membrane has been facilely constructed for desired wetting/fouling/scaling-free properties, where a cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite hydrogel layer is formed in situ atop a microporous hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) substrate intermediated by an adhesive layer. By the synergies of the elevated membrane liquid entry pressure, inhibited surfactant diffusion, and highly hydratable surface imparted by the hydrogel/CNC (HC) layer, the resultant HC-PTFE membrane exhibits robust resistance to surfactant-induced wetting and oil fouling during 120 h of MD operation. Meanwhile, owing to the dense and hydroxyl-abundant surface, it is capable of mitigating gypsum scaling and scaling-induced wetting, resulting in a high normalized flux and low distillate conductivity at a concentration factor of 5.2. Importantly, the HC-PTFE membrane enables direct desalination of real hypersaline wastewater containing broad-spectrum foulants with stable vapor flux and robust salt rejection (99.90%) during long-term operation, demonstrating its great potential for wastewater management in industrial scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Zhang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaojiao Zhang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Weifan Liu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235-1831, United States
| | - Mingwei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Unconventional Oil & Gas Development, Ministry of Education, School of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petro1eum (East China), Qingdao 266580, People's Republic of China
| | - Shihong Lin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235-1831, United States
| | - Zhining Wang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, People's Republic of China
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48
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Zhou X, Shi L, Taylor RF, Xie C, Bian B, Picioreanu C, Logan BE. Relative Insignificance of Polyamide Layer Selectivity for Seawater Electrolysis Applications. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14569-14578. [PMID: 37722004 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Low-cost polyamide thin-film composite (TFC) membranes are being explored as alternatives to cation exchange membranes for seawater electrolysis. An optimal membrane should have a low electrical resistance to minimize applied potentials needed for water electrolysis and be able to block chloride ions present in a seawater catholyte from reaching the anode. The largest energy loss associated with a TFC membrane was the Nernstian overpotential of 0.74 V (equivalent to 37 Ω cm2 at 20 mA cm-2), derived from the pH difference between the anolyte and catholyte and not the membrane ohmic overpotential. Based on analysis using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the pristine TFC membrane contributed only 5.00 Ω cm2 to the ohmic resistance. Removing the polyester support layer reduced the resistance by 79% to only 1.04 Ω cm2, without altering the salt ion transport between the electrolytes. Enlarging the pore size (∼5 times) in the polyamide active layer minimally impacted counterion transport across the membrane during electrolysis, but it increased the total concentration of chloride transported by 60%. Overall, this study suggests that TFC membranes with thinner but mechanically strong supporting layers and size-selective active layers should reduce energy consumption and the potential for chlorine generation for seawater electrolyzers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuechen Zhou
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Le Shi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Rachel F Taylor
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Chenghan Xie
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Bin Bian
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Cristian Picioreanu
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bruce E Logan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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49
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Popova A, Rattanakom R, Yu ZQ, Li Z, Nakagawa K, Fujioka T. Evaluating the potential of nanofiltration membranes for removing ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite in drinking water sources. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 244:120484. [PMID: 37611359 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Advanced drinking water treatment process using nanofiltration (NF) membranes has gained attention recently because it removes many challenging constituents in contaminated surface waters, such as dissolved organics and heavy metals. However, much literature has reported high variations and uncertainties of NF membranes for removing nitrogen compounds in the contaminated water-ammonium (NH4+), nitrates (NO3-), and nitrites (NO2-). This study aimed to identify the ability of commercial NF membranes to remove NH4+, NO2-, and NO3- and clarify the mechanisms underlying their transport through NF membranes. This was examined by evaluating their rejection by three commercial NF membranes using artificial and actual river waters under various conditions (variable permeate flux, temperature, pH, and ionic strength). Ammonium commonly showed the highest removal among the three nitrogen compounds, followed by nitrites and nitrates. Interestingly, ammonium removal varied considerably from 6% to 86%, depending on the membrane type and operating conditions. The results indicated that the selected nitrogen compounds (NH4+, NO2-, and NO3-) could be highly rejected depending on the clearance between their hydrated radius and the membrane's pore walls. Further, the rejection of the lowest molecular-weight nitrogen compound (NH4+) could be higher than NO2- and NO3- due to its highest energy barrier and larger hydrated radius. This study suggests that compliance with the drinking water regulations of NH4+, NO2-, and NO3- can be reliably achieved by selecting appropriate membrane types and predicting the range of their removal under various feed water quality and operating conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Popova
- Graduate School of Engineering, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Radamanee Rattanakom
- Graduate School of Engineering, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Zhi-Qiang Yu
- Graduate School of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Zhuolin Li
- Graduate School of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Kei Nakagawa
- Institute of Integrated Science and Technology, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Takahiro Fujioka
- Graduate School of Engineering, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan.
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50
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Miller DM, Abels K, Guo J, Williams KS, Liu MJ, Tarpeh WA. Electrochemical Wastewater Refining: A Vision for Circular Chemical Manufacturing. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:19422-19439. [PMID: 37642501 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c01142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater is an underleveraged resource; it contains pollutants that can be transformed into valuable high-purity products. Innovations in chemistry and chemical engineering will play critical roles in valorizing wastewater to remediate environmental pollution, provide equitable access to chemical resources and services, and secure critical materials from diminishing feedstock availability. This perspective envisions electrochemical wastewater refining─the use of electrochemical processes to tune and recover specific products from wastewaters─as the necessary framework to accelerate wastewater-based electrochemistry to widespread practice. We define and prescribe a use-informed approach that simultaneously serves specific wastewater-pollutant-product triads and uncovers a mechanistic understanding generalizable to broad use cases. We use this approach to evaluate research needs in specific case studies of electrocatalysis, stoichiometric electrochemical conversions, and electrochemical separations. Finally, we provide rationale and guidance for intentionally expanding the electrochemical wastewater refining product portfolio. Wastewater refining will require a coordinated effort from multiple expertise areas to meet the urgent need of extracting maximal value from complex, variable, diverse, and abundant wastewater resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean M Miller
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Kristen Abels
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Jinyu Guo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Kindle S Williams
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Matthew J Liu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - William A Tarpeh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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