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Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery
Published on: January 22, 2015
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Artificial Proton Channel Membrane with Self-Amplified Selectivity for Simultaneous Waste Acid Recovery and Power
Min Jian1,2, Xuan Ding2, Qi Li2
1College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, P. R. China.
ACS Nano
|April 26, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed advanced covalent organic framework (COF) membranes mimicking biological proton channels. These membranes offer exceptional proton selectivity for acid recovery and power generation, surpassing existing technologies.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Biological proton channels exhibit unparalleled selectivity and permeability.
- Artificial materials struggle to replicate these properties for applications like acid recovery and energy generation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and construct high-performance artificial proton channels using covalent organic frameworks (COFs).
- To achieve high proton selectivity and permeability for efficient acid recovery and power generation.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of amorphous COF membranes inspired by biological proton channel structure and surface chemistry.
- Functionalization of channels with hydrogen-donating groups to facilitate proton hopping.
- Investigation of ion hindrance effects caused by hydrated protons to enhance selectivity.
Main Results:
- Achieved proton selectivity against toxic heavy metal ions up to 104, significantly exceeding commercial acid-recovery membranes.
- Demonstrated proton permeability comparable to biological proton channels (a few mol m-2 h-1).
- Successfully recycled acid from industrial waste brines via diffusion dialysis with minimal toxic ion leakage.
Conclusions:
- The developed amorphous COF membranes offer a novel solution for efficient acid recovery from industrial waste.
- The membranes enable harvesting energy from proton diffusion, showing superior power density for osmotic energy applications.
