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Updated: May 19, 2026
11:15
Nanosponge Tunability in Size and Crosslinking Density
Published on: August 4, 2017
Hydrogen bond nanoscale networks showing switchable transport performance
Yong Long1, Jun-feng Hui, Peng-peng Wang
1Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, P. R. China.
Scientific Reports
|September 1, 2012
Summary
Hydrogen bond nanoscale networks in nanowire membranes enable efficient oil-water separation. This reversible system offers tunable properties for advanced material applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Hydrogen bonds are weak, reversible noncovalent interactions crucial for material properties.
- Reversible material behavior offers advantages in fabrication and recyclability.
- Nanoscale networks can be engineered for specific separation tasks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To utilize hydrogen bond nanoscale networks for macroscale water-oil separation.
- To investigate the tunable transport properties of these networks.
- To demonstrate the application potential in separating emulsions.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of nanowire macro-membranes with ~tens of nanometers pore sizes.
- Utilizing the hydrogen bonding capability of the membrane with water molecules.
- Gradual replacement of water with ethanol to alter film properties.
Main Results:
- Successful separation of water and oil using hydrogen bond nanoscale networks.
- Demonstrated tunable transport properties of the membrane by solvent exchange.
- Identified the hydrogen bond network as the key mechanism for the switching effect.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogen bond nanoscale networks in nanowire membranes are effective for oil-water separation.
- The system exhibits tunable properties, showing potential for advanced separation technologies.
- This approach is particularly promising for breaking oil-water emulsions.
Related Concept Videos
00:26Hydrogen Bonds
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01:04Hydrogen Bonds
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Overview
When two atoms share electrons to complete their valence shells, they create a covalent bond. An atom's electronegativity—the force with which shared electrons are pulled towards an atom—determines how the electrons are shared. Molecules formed with covalent bonds can be either polar or nonpolar. Atoms with similar electronegativities form nonpolar covalent bonds; the electrons are shared equally. Atoms with different electronegativities share electrons unequally, creating polar bonds.
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