Metal-coordinated polybenzimidazole membranes with preferential K⁺ transport.

ABSTRACT: Membranes with fast and selective ion transport are essential for separations and electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices. Metal-coordinated polymers are promising for fabricating ion-conducting membranes with molecular channels, however, the structures and ion transport channels remain poorly understood. Here, we reported mechanistic insights into the structures of metal-ion coordinated polybenzimidazole membranes and the preferential K⁺ transport. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that coordination between metal ions and polybenzimidazole expanded the free volume, forming subnanometre molecular channels. The combined physical confinement in nanosized channels and electrostatic interactions of membranes resulted in a high K⁺ transference number u

SUBMITTER: Wu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9975182 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature