Engineering grain boundaries in monolayer molybdenum disulfide for efficient water-ion separation
Jie Shen, Areej Aljarb, Yichen Cai, Xing Liu, Jiacheng Min, Yingge Wang, Qingxiao Wang, Chenhui Zhang, Cailing Chen, Mariam Hakami, Jui‐Han Fu, Hui Zhang, Guanxing Li, Xiaoqian Wang, Zhuo Chen, Jiaqiang Li, Xinglong Dong, Kaimin Shih, Kuo‐Wei Huang, Vincent Tung, Guosheng Shi, Ingo Pinnau, Lain‐Jong Li, Yu Han
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) materials have long been considered as ideal platforms for developing separation membranes. However, it is difficult to generate uniform subnanometer pores over large areas on 2D materials. We report that the well-defined eight-membered ring (8-MR) pores, typically formed at the boundaries of two antiparallel grains of monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ), can serve as molecular sieves for efficient water-ion separation. The density of grain boundaries and, consequently, the number of 8-MR pores can be tuned by regulating the grain size. Optimized MoS 2 membranes outperformed the state-of-the-art membranes in forward osmosis tests by demonstrating both ultrahigh water/sodium chloride selectivity and exceptional water permeance. Creating precise pore structures on atomically thin films through grain boundary engineering presents a promising route for producing membranes suitable for various applications.