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Exfoliation and Analysis of Large-area, Air-Sensitive Two-Dimensional Materials
Published on: January 5, 2019
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Enhanced sieving from exfoliated MoS2 membranes via covalent functionalization
Lucie Ries1, Eddy Petit1, Thierry Michel2
1Institut Européen des Membranes, IEM, UMR 5635, Université Montpellier, ENSCM, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
Nature Materials
|August 28, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed stable, functionalized molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheet membranes for water purification. These membranes effectively reject micropollutants and salt (NaCl) under reverse osmosis, offering a promising solution for clean water.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Two-dimensional nanolaminate membranes show potential for molecular sieving.
- High hydrophilicity of existing membranes, like graphene oxide, leads to instability in water.
- Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) offers an alternative 2D material for membrane applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop stable and selective nanolaminate membranes for water purification.
- To investigate the effect of surface functionalization on MoS2 membrane performance.
- To explore the potential of MoS2 membranes for removing micropollutants and salts.
Main Methods:
- Covalent functionalization of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets.
- Fabrication of nanolaminate membranes using functionalized MoS2.
- Performance evaluation under reverse osmotic conditions, including rejection rates for micropollutants and NaCl.
- Molecular dynamic simulations to assess water permeation and surface chemistry effects.
Main Results:
- Functionalized MoS2 membranes achieved >90% rejection for micropollutants and ~87% for NaCl.
- Membrane performance is linked to controlled capillary widths and surface chemistry.
- Small hydrophobic functional groups, particularly methyl groups, enhance water purification.
- Methyl-functionalized MoS2 membranes exhibited high water permeation rates and maintained high NaCl rejection.
Conclusions:
- Covalently functionalized MoS2 nanolaminate membranes offer enhanced stability and selectivity for water purification.
- Control over surface chemistry and interlayer spacing is crucial for tuning membrane performance.
- Hydrophobic functionalization, specifically with methyl groups, presents a viable strategy for efficient water treatment membranes.
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