LEGO® brick-inspired ultra-stable and rapid transport 2D membrane for fast water purification

Abstract

Although 2D lamellar membranes exhibit significant potential for water purification, their tortuous and narrow interlayer channels, as well as the poor stability of the aqueous environment, constrain their application. Inspired by LEGO®'s module homogenization and precise interlocking structure, we propose the homogenization of membrane building blocks and a molecular interface unit design method based on subject–object recognition for precise and ordered assembly of 2D nanosheets. Ultrathin LEGO®-like membranes with high-density vertical slit fluid channels prepared by this strategy ensured accurate assembly to improve channel structural stability and permeation efficiency. The membranes exhibit an ultrahigh water permeance of 499.75 LMH bar⁻¹, which is more than eight times that of the original membrane, and the permeability only decays by about 20% within 15 h. The superiority of this LEGO®-inspired design in creating highly regular parallel interlayer channels and vertical slit channels is crucial for permeability and stability enhancement. These membranes also show improved pressure and bending resistance, promising a future of diverse, high-efficiency, and scalable 2D membrane technology.