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How Pore Hydrophilicity Influences Water Permeability?
Fang Xu1, Mingjie Wei1, Xin Zhang1
1State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, and College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, Jiangsu, China.
Research (Washington, D.C.)
|September 25, 2019
Summary
Hydrophobic membranes require high threshold pressure for stable water flow. Modifying membranes with hydrophilic surfaces dramatically reduces this pressure, enabling ultrafast water permeability for clean water applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Water Treatment
Background:
- Membrane separation is crucial for clean water production.
- Simulations suggest hydrophobic pores offer high water permeability due to low friction.
- Experimental findings indicate hydrophilic pores achieve higher permeability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate water transport through two-dimensional nanosheets with varying hydrophilicity.
- To understand the role of hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity in membrane permeability.
- To identify strategies for achieving ultrahigh water permeability in membranes.
Main Methods:
- Nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations were employed.
- Water molecule transport was simulated through nanosheet interlayers.
- Various surface hydrophilicities were tested.
Main Results:
- A threshold pressure drop (ΔPT) is required for stable water permeability.
- Strongly hydrophobic pores exhibit very high ΔPT, limiting practical permeability.
- Hydrophilic modification reduced ΔPT by over 99%, enabling stable flow.
- Hydrophobic pores show reduced permeability under low pressures due to wetting/nonwetting cycles.
Conclusions:
- Hydrophilic modification is a promising strategy for realizing ultrafast membranes.
- Overcoming the threshold pressure is key to achieving high water permeability.
- Experimental realization of ultrafast membranes is now more feasible.
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