Biomimetic Janus membrane with spongy channels for directional liquid transport

Xiaoju Kuang, Zhenfang Zhang, Haijun He (), Xiaotao Ma, Xu Zhang, Lingfeng Zhu, Honglian Cong, Gaoming Jiang, Seeram Ramakrishna () and Pibo Ma ()
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Xiaoju Kuang: Jiangnan University
Zhenfang Zhang: Xi’an Polytechnic University
Haijun He: Jiangnan University
Xiaotao Ma: Jiangnan University
Xu Zhang: Jiangnan University
Lingfeng Zhu: RMIT University
Honglian Cong: Jiangnan University
Gaoming Jiang: Jiangnan University
Seeram Ramakrishna: National University of Singapore
Pibo Ma: Jiangnan University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Janus fiber membranes enable directional liquid transport (DLT) for oil-water separation and moisture management, yet conventional pore-channel designs offer limited efficiency. Herein, we have developed a groundbreaking Janus nanofiber structure inspired by the structural characteristics of plant leaves, specifically the pore gradient and liquid transport channels within leaves. An innovative intermediate buffer layer composed of a three-dimensional helical nanofiber membrane was introduced to boost porosity and horizontal interconnectivity. A dopamine-controlled regulation mechanism synergistically optimized the pore structure and wettability of this layer. The resulting Janus membrane exhibits a remarkable unidirectional transport index (1250%), a high oil-water separation efficiency (98.92%), and an ultra-high flux (13860.77 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹). Its integration with textiles demonstrates superior moisture and thermal management, confirming its versatility for applications in oil-water separation, industrial wastewater treatment, and high-performance functional garments.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64964-0

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