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Scalable Synthesis of Carbon Nanomembranes from Amorphous Molecular Layers

AFM probes used in the publication

Tap300Al-G
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Tap300Al-G

Tapping Mode AFM Probe with Aluminum Reflective Coating
Coating: Reflective Aluminum
Tip Shape: Rotated
AFM Cantilever:
  • F
    300 kHz
  • C
    40 N/m
  • L
    125 µm

Abstract

Nanoporous carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) created by self-assembled monolayers ideally combine a high water flux and precise ion selectivity for molecular separation and water desalination. However, their practical implementation is often challenged by the availability of large epitaxial substrates, limiting the membrane up-scaling. Here, we report a scalable synthesis of CNMs from poly­(4-vinylbiphenyl) (PVBP) spin-coated on SiO2/Si wafers. Electron irradiation of the amorphous PVBP molecular layers induces the formation of a continuous membrane with a thickness of 15 nm and a high density of subnanometer pores, providing a water permeance as high as 530 L m–2 h–1 bar–1, while repelling ions and molecules larger than 1 nm in size. A further introduction of a reinforced porous block copolymer layer enables the fabrication of centimeter-scale CNM composites that efficiently separate organic dyes from water. These results suggest a feasible route for large-scale nanomembrane fabrication.
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