Intrinsic high water/ion selectivity of graphene oxide lamellar membranes in concentration gradient-driven diffusion.

ABSTRACT: Although graphene oxide lamellar membranes (GOLMs) are effective in blocking large organic molecules and nanoparticles for nanofiltration and ultrafiltration, water desalination with GOLM is challenging, with seriously controversial results. Here, a combined experimental and molecular dynamics simulation study shows that intrinsic high water/ion selectivity of GOLM was achieved in concentration gradient-driven diffusion, showing great promise in water desalination. However, in pressure-driven filtration the salt rejection was poor. This study unveils a long-overlooked reason behind the controversy in water desalination with GOLM and further provides a fundamental understanding on the in-depth mechanism concerning the strong correlation of water/ion selectivity with the applied pressure and

SUBMITTER: Sun P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5355834 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature