Ryan S. Kingsbury , Michael A. Baird , Junwei Zhang , Hetal D. Patel , Miranda J. Baran , Brett A. Helms , Eric M.V. Hoek
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
While polymer membranes are used to remove salts from environmental and industrial electrolytes, it remains a significant challenge to engineer them to isolate a single dissolved species from complex mixtures, which is important for lithium mining, battery and magnet recycling, and microelectronics. Underpinning this challenge has been a lack of understanding of rate-limiting mechanisms in selective ion transport. Here, we show that hydrated ions exhibit higher free energies of activation when crossing solution-membrane interfaces (i.e., partitioning) than when diffusing through polymers, which challenges historical assumptions embedded in widely used models of membrane performance. We further articulate a framework benchmarked with quantitative capabilities for predicting how functionality within polymer membranes or at their surfaces affects selectivity toward individual dissolved species.
期刊介绍:
Matter, a monthly journal affiliated with Cell, spans the broad field of materials science from nano to macro levels,covering fundamentals to applications. Embracing groundbreaking technologies,it includes full-length research articles,reviews, perspectives,previews, opinions, personnel stories, and general editorial content.
Matter aims to be the primary resource for researchers in academia and industry, inspiring the next generation of materials scientists.