Volume 209, 2018

2D graphene oxide channel for water transport

Abstract

Layer-stacked graphene oxide (GO) membranes, in which unique two-dimensional (2D) water channels are formed between two neighboring GO nanosheets, have demonstrated great potential for aqueous phase separation. Subjects of crucial importance are to fundamentally understand the interlayer spacing (i.e. channel height) of GO membranes in an aqueous environment, elucidate the mechanisms for water transport within such 2D channels, and precisely control the interlayer spacing to tune the membrane separation capability for targeted applications. In this investigation, we used an integrated quartz crystal mass balance (QCM-D) and ellipsometry to experimentally monitor the interlayer spacing of GO, reduced GO and crosslinked GO in aqueous solution and found that crosslinking can effectively prevent GO from swelling and precisely control the interlayer spacing. We then used molecular dynamics simulations to study the mass transport inside the 2D channels and proved that the chemical functional groups on the GO plane dramatically slow down water transport in the channels. Our findings on GO structure and water transport provide a necessary basis for further tailoring and optimizing the design and fabrication of GO membranes in various separation applications.

Graphical abstract: 2D graphene oxide channel for water transport

Associated articles

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
12 Feb 2018
Accepted
05 Apr 2018
First published
05 Apr 2018

Faraday Discuss., 2018,209, 329-340

Author version available

2D graphene oxide channel for water transport

B. Mi, S. Zheng and Q. Tu, Faraday Discuss., 2018, 209, 329 DOI: 10.1039/C8FD00026C

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