Ceramic thin-film composite membranes with tunable subnanometer pores for molecular sieving

Xuechen Zhou, Rahul Shevate, Dahong Huang, Tianchi Cao, Xin Shen, Shu Hu, Anil U. Mane, Jeffrey W. Elam, Jae-Hong Kim () and Menachem Elimelech ()
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Xuechen Zhou: Yale University
Rahul Shevate: Argonne National Laboratory
Dahong Huang: Yale University
Tianchi Cao: Yale University
Xin Shen: Yale University
Shu Hu: Yale University
Anil U. Mane: Argonne National Laboratory
Jeffrey W. Elam: Argonne National Laboratory
Jae-Hong Kim: Yale University
Menachem Elimelech: Yale University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42495-w

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