Porous organic cages as synthetic water channels.

ABSTRACT: Nature has protein channels (e.g., aquaporins) that preferentially transport water molecules while rejecting even the smallest hydrated ions. Aspirations to create robust synthetic counterparts have led to the development of a few one-dimensional channels. However, replicating the performance of the protein channels in these synthetic water channels remains a challenge. In addition, the dimensionality of the synthetic water channels also imposes engineering difficulties to align them in membranes. Here we show that zero-dimensional porous organic cages (POCs) with nanoscale pores can effectively reject small cations and anions while allowing fast water permeation (ca. 10⁹ water molecules per second) on the same magnitude as that of aquaporins. Water molecules are found to prefer

SUBMITTER: Yuan YD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7530991 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature