Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
14:52
Fabrication of Three-Dimensional Graphene-Based Polyhedrons via Origami-Like Self-Folding
Published on: September 23, 2018
Defect-Selective Etching Engineering of Reduced Graphene Oxide Membranes
Pengxu Wang1, Rujie Yang1, Quan Liu2
1School of Physics, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|July 21, 2026
Summary
Engineered reduced graphene oxide membranes with dual nanoscale pathways achieve ultrahigh water permeance and selectivity. This defect-excavation strategy overcomes traditional trade-offs for advanced water treatment.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Water Treatment
Background:
- Two-dimensional laminar membranes are promising for water treatment but face permeability-selectivity trade-offs.
- Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) membranes exhibit limitations due to inherent structural constraints.
Purpose of the Study:
- To overcome the permeability-selectivity trade-off in reduced graphene oxide membranes.
- To engineer dual transport pathways at the molecular level for enhanced water treatment.
Main Methods:
- A nanoscale "defect-excavation" strategy using mild KOH etching to create vertical nanopores.
- Ionic-liquid intercalation for thermodynamic stabilization and expanded interlayer spacing.
- Molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate transport mechanisms.
Main Results:
- The optimized KOH-IL-rGO membrane achieved ultrahigh water permeance (455 L m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹).
- Achieved high methylene blue rejection (99.68%).
- Dual transport pathways (vertical nanopores and expanded interlayer spacing) were confirmed by simulations.
Conclusions:
- Synergistic integration of nanoetching and ionic-liquid intercalation creates high-performance membranes.
- The engineered dual transport network significantly enhances water permeance and selectivity.
- This approach offers a rational design for energy-efficient, sustainable water purification membranes.
