Sub-8 nm networked cage nanofilm with tunable nanofluidic channels for adaptive sieving

Si-Hua Liu, Jun-Hao Zhou, Chunrui Wu, Peng Zhang, Xingzhong Cao and Jian-Ke Sun ()
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Si-Hua Liu: Beijing Institute of Technology
Jun-Hao Zhou: Beijing Institute of Technology
Chunrui Wu: Tiangong University
Peng Zhang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xingzhong Cao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jian-Ke Sun: Beijing Institute of Technology

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Biological cell membrane featuring smart mass-transport channels and sub-10 nm thickness was viewed as the benchmark inspiring the design of separation membranes; however, constructing highly connective and adaptive pore channels over large-area membranes less than 10 nm in thickness is still a huge challenge. Here, we report the design and fabrication of sub-8 nm networked cage nanofilms that comprise of tunable, responsive organic cage-based water channels via a free-interface-confined self-assembly and crosslinking strategy. These cage-bearing composite membranes display outstanding water permeability at the 10−5 cm2 s−1 scale, which is 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than that of traditional polymeric membranes. Furthermore, the channel microenvironments including hydrophilicity and steric hindrance can be manipulated by a simple anion exchange strategy. In particular, through ionically associating light-responsive anions to cage windows, such ‘smart’ membrane can even perform graded molecular sieving. The emergence of these networked cage-nanofilms provides an avenue for developing bio-inspired ultrathin membranes toward smart separation.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46809-4

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