Hydration size-dependent transport of ions across nanoporous graphene membranes

Chow, Chun Man; Mattewal, Simar Kaur; Hanhauser, Emily; Karnik, Rohit

doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2026.125157

Hydration size-dependent transport of ions across nanoporous graphene membranes

Journal Article · Sat Jan 17 00:00:00 EST 2026 · Journal of Membrane Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2026.125157· OSTI ID:3013525

Chow, Chun Man ^[1]; ^[1]; Hanhauser, Emily ^[1]; ^[1]

Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States)

Nanoporous atomically-thin membranes are promising candidates for metal ion separations due to their chemical stability and high permeance and selectivity, but experimental evidence of the mechanisms responsible for ion-ion selectivity is sparse. Here, in this work, we measured the simultaneous diffusion of a dilute mixture of ten different Group I, Group II, and rare earth cations in a salt background across nanoporous graphene (NPG) membranes with sub-nanometer pores. The membranes exhibited ion-ion selectivity, including between similarly-charged ions. Cation transport was governed primarily by the hydrated ion size that was consistent with continuum models of ion diffusion, with additional influence of the ionic charge. Selectivity enhancement was achieved by modifying ion sizes using an ion-selective complexing agent. Our study provides evidence of the importance of size-sieving and electrostatic mechanisms governing ion transport across NPG, and allows for quantitative prediction of transport rates to guide future development of ion-selective atomically-thin membranes.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Technology Holdings, LLC, West Valley City, UT (United States); Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Office of SBIR/STTR Programs (SBIR/STTR); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE); National Science Foundation; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; Croucher Foundation

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0020031; EE0009441

OSTI ID:: 3013525

Journal Information:: Journal of Membrane Science, Journal Name: Journal of Membrane Science Vol. 743; ISSN 0376-7388

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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