Advanced Membranes (Jan 2021)
Advanced membranes with responsive two-dimensional nanochannels
Abstract
As an emerging research direction, advanced membranes with responsive two-dimensional (2D) nanochannels are developed to mimic biological functions of cell membranes. Tuning the physical and/or chemical properties of the interfaces of nanochannel walls, the mass transport in the artificial 2D channels can be easily managed, analogous to the proteins in the cell membranes that interact specifically with chemical species and adjust conformation responsively adapting to their environments. Such artificial membranes that could regulate their permeability and/or selectivity correspondingly in response to the environmental signals are of particular importance. This review summarizes the recent developments in the functional membranes with responsive 2D nanochannels including the design strategies, stimuli-responsiveness of the nanochannels and the advanced applications of membranes with responsive 2D nanochannels in water purification, molecular separation, energy harvesting and so on. The functional membranes with responsive 2D nanochannels, which are featured with intrinsic intelligence, show great power for use in global sustainable development.
