Phase engineering 2D materials for next-generation membrane technologies

2D材料膜允许研究对生命存在至关重要的过程，并为开发下一代纳米过滤，纯化和医疗保健技术提供平台。这种膜通过将例如氧化石墨烯或二硫化钼（MoS 2）的薄片压实成微米厚的膜以产生细毛细管的网络来形成。除了用于控制水和其他液体的运输外，正如我们最近所证明的那样，还可以使用跨膜施加的电场来非常快速地打开和关闭水渗透。我们的早期工作表明，结构和化学在决定特定应用的特定2D材料的行为方面发挥着至关重要的作用。例如，氧化石墨烯膜中的碳/氧比对于水的传输是关键的，尽管令人惊讶的是，这种性质及其对渗透性的影响知之甚少。通过电场可以控制渗透的确切机制的知识也缺乏允许监测材料和化学变化所需的原位实验。对于MoS 2膜，可以通过使用pH在2 H和1 T '结构相之间改变来可逆地控制水传输，尽管原因尚不清楚。该项目将利用约克表面科学实验室的世界级设施，特别是电子光谱和扫描探针显微镜，帮助解决这些问题。基于我们最近在新兴的2D材料膜领域的高调工作，我们将提供对基本纳滤过程的关键见解，这将加速人工生物系统，组织工程，能量收集和过滤的智能膜技术的发展。我们还将通过研究纳米颗粒与2D膜的相互作用来扩大该领域，这将开辟环境修复的应用。

2D material membranes allow the investigation of processes vital to the existence of life and provide a platform for developing next-generation nano filtration, purification, and healthcare technologies. Such membranes are formed by compacting flakes of, for example, graphene oxide or molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) into micrometre-thick membranes to create a network of fine capillaries. In addition to being used to control the transportation of water and other liquids, as we have recently demonstrated, it is possible to use an electric field applied across the membrane to turn water permeation on and off extremely quickly. Our early work has shown the essential role that structure and chemistry play in determining the behaviour of a particular 2D material for a particular application. For example, the carbon/oxygen ratio in graphene oxide membranes is critical to the transport of water although surprisingly this property and its effect on permeability are poorly understood. Knowledge of the exact mechanism through which an electric field can control permeation is also lacking with in situ experiments needed to allow monitoring of material and chemical changes. For MoS2 membranes, water transport can be reversibly controlled by using pH to change between the 2H and 1T' structural phases although it is unclear why. This project will help resolve these issues using the world-class facilities in the York Surface Science Laboratory, in particular, electron spectroscopy and scanning probe microscopy. Building on our recent high-profile work in the burgeoning field of 2D material membranes, we will provide key insight into fundamental nanofiltration processes that will accelerate the development of smart membrane technologies for artificial biological systems, tissue engineering, energy harvesting, and filtration. We will also expand the field by investigating nanoparticle interaction with 2D membranes which will open up applications in environmental remediation.