Artificial Water Channels: Towards Biomimetic Membranes for Desalination
Li‐Bo Huang, Maria Di Vincenzo, Yu‐Hao Li, Mihail Bãrboiu
Abstract
Natural Aquaporin (AQP) channels are efficient water translocating proteins, rejecting ions. Inspired by this masterpiece of nature, Artificial Water Channels (AWCs) with controlled functional structures, can be potentially used to mimic the AQPs to a certain extent, offering flexible avenues toward biomimetic membranes for water purification. The objective of this paper is to trace the historical development and significant advancements of current reported AWCs. Meanwhile, we attempt to reveal important structural insights and supramolecular self-assembly principles governing the selective water transport mechanisms, toward innovative AWC-based biomimetic membranes for desalination.
Topics & Concepts
DesalinationMembraneWater desalinationChemical engineeringMaterials scienceEngineeringChemistryBiochemistryNanopore and Nanochannel Transport StudiesMembrane Separation TechnologiesMembrane-based Ion Separation Techniques