Clean water is a global challenge, and membrane filtration is a key technology to achieve it. There are growing research efforts to explore the use of two-dimensional carbon materials as nanoconduits for molecular transport and separation. Here, we report on the fabrication, characterization and application of carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) with sub-nanometer channels that prove to be excellent water filters, combining a high selectivity with an exceptionally high water permeance. The CNMs are fabricated via radiation induced cross-linking of molecular monolayers. CNMs made from cross-linked terphenylthiol molecules result in a ~1.2 nm thick membrane perforated by channels with diameters smaller than ~0.7 nm and areal densities of ~1018m−2. When tested as filter membranes, it was found that these CNMs efficiently block the passage of most gases and liquids. However, water passes through with an exceptionally high permeance of ~800 l m−2 h−1 bar−1. This suggests that water fast and cooperatively translocates through the channels with a rate of ~60 molecules s−1 Pa−1. It will be shown how the fabrication of CNMs is scalable, which opens new paths towards their technical use in water purificationsystems.

Functional and scalable carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) are efficient nanoconduits for water purification

2019 Fall National Meeting

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