Ultrathin 2D-Layered Cyclodextrin Membranes for High- Performance Organic Solvent Nanofiltration

authored by

Tiefan Huang, Tiara Puspasari, Suzana P. Nunes, Klaus Viktor Peinemann

Abstract

Synthetic membranes with a high selectivity for demanding molecular separations and high permeance have a large potential for the reduction of energy consumption in separation processes. Herein, for the first time, the fabrication of an ultrathin layered macrocycle membrane for molecular separation in organic solvent nanofiltration using per-6-amino-β-cyclodextrin as a monomer for membrane manufacturing by interfacial polymerization is reported. Compared to a regular nonfunctionalized cyclodextrin, a higher reactivity is observed, enabling a very fast membrane formation under mild conditions. The formed membrane is composed of a layered structure of polymerized cyclodextrin, which shows high stability in different organic solvents. The membrane exhibits excellent separation performance for organic solvent nanofiltration, both with nonpolar and polar solvents. Most importantly, this new membrane type can discriminate between molecules with nearly identical molecular weights but different shapes. The unmatched high permeance and shape selectivity of the membranes can be attributed to the ultralow thickness, controlled microporosity, as well as the layered macrocycle structure, which makes the membranes promising for high-performance molecular separation in the chemical and biochemistry industry.

External Organisation(s)

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

Type

Article

Journal

Advanced functional materials

Volume

30

ISSN

1616-301X

Publication date

24.01.2020

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Chemistry, General Materials Science, Condensed Matter Physics

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201906797 (Access: Open)