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Yu W, Wei C, Zhang K, Zhang J, Ge Z, Liang X, Guiver MD, Ge X, Wu L, Xu T. Host-Guest Recognition Boosts Biomimetic Mono/Multivalent Cation Separation. Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:5861-5871. [PMID: 36988386 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Biomimetic ion permselective membranes with ultrahigh ion permeability and selectivity represent a research frontier in ion separation, yet the successful fabrication of such membranes remains a formidable challenge. Here, we demonstrate a 4-sulfocalix[4]arene (4-SCA)-modified graphene oxide (GO) membrane that shows extraordinary performance in separating mono-from multivalent cations, as well as having reversible pH-responsiveness. The resulting 4-SCA-modified GO (SCA-GO) membrane preferentially transports potassium ions (K+) over radionuclide cations (Co2+, UO22+, La3+, Eu3+, and Th4+). The ion selectivities are an order of magnitude higher than that of the unmodified GO membrane. Theoretical calculations and experimental investigations demonstrate that the much-improved ion selectivity arises from the specific recognition between 4-SCA and radionuclide cations. The transport of multivalent radionuclides is impeded by a binding-obstructing mechanism from the host-guest interactions. Interestingly, the host-guest interactions are responsive to the protonation/deprotonation transformation of the 4-SCA. Therefore, the SCA-GO membrane mimics pH-regulated ion selective behavior found in biological ion channels. Our strategy of designing a biomimetic permselective GO membrane may allow efficient nuclear wastewater treatment and, more importantly, deepen our understanding of biomimetic ion transport mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weisheng Yu
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Functional Membrane Materials and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemistry for Energy Materials, School of Chemistry and Material Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Chengpeng Wei
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Functional Membrane Materials and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemistry for Energy Materials, School of Chemistry and Material Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Kaiyu Zhang
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Functional Membrane Materials and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemistry for Energy Materials, School of Chemistry and Material Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jianjun Zhang
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Functional Membrane Materials and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemistry for Energy Materials, School of Chemistry and Material Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Zijuan Ge
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Functional Membrane Materials and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemistry for Energy Materials, School of Chemistry and Material Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Xian Liang
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Functional Membrane Materials and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemistry for Energy Materials, School of Chemistry and Material Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Michael D Guiver
- State Key Laboratory of Engines, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Xiaolin Ge
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Functional Membrane Materials and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemistry for Energy Materials, School of Chemistry and Material Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Liang Wu
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Functional Membrane Materials and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemistry for Energy Materials, School of Chemistry and Material Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Tongwen Xu
- Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Functional Membrane Materials and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemistry for Energy Materials, School of Chemistry and Material Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
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