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Nano-confined controllable crystallization in supramolecular polymeric membranes for ultra-selective desalination

Author

Listed:
  • Gang Lu

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Hubao A

    (Wuhan University)

  • Yuanyuan Zhao

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Yan Zhao

    (KU Leuven)

  • Hengyue Xu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Wentao Shang

    (Jinan University)

  • Xi Chen

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Jiawei Sun

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Huacheng Zhang

    (RMIT University)

  • Jun Wu

    (Harbin Engineering University)

  • Bing Dai

    (Shenzhen University)

  • Bart Bruggen

    (KU Leuven)

  • Raf Dewil

    (KU Leuven
    University of Oxford)

  • Alicia Kyoungjin An

    (City University of Hong Kong
    The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • Shuang Zheng

    (The University of Hong Kong
    University of Oxford)

Abstract

Innovations in self-assembly and aggregate engineering have led to membranes that better balance water permeability with salt rejection, overcoming traditional trade-offs. Here we demonstrate a strategy that uses multivalent H-bond interactions at the nano-confined space to manipulate controllable and organized crystallization. Specifically, we design amphiphilic oligomers featuring hydrophobic segments with strongly polar end-capped motifs. When spreading on air/water interfaces, the hydrophobic parts repel water, yielding an ordered alignment of supramolecular oligomers under nano-confinement, while the strongly polar sections engage in strong hydrogen bonding and reconfigure to strongly interact with water molecules, enabling the controlled assembly and orientation of nano-confined crystalline domains. This arrangement provides dual benefits: refining the distribution of pore sizes for ultra-selectivity and boosting the free volume for water permeation. Compared to counterpart oligomers with weakly polar motifs, the optimized membrane with a 6-nm thickness demonstrates the water permeability of 14.8 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 and extraordinary water/NaCl selectivity of more than 54 bar−1 under pressure-driven condition. This study sheds light on how nano-confined self-assembly and aggregate engineering affect the architectures, functionality, and performance of polymer membranes, emphasizing the promise of controllable crystallization in ultrathin membranes for optimal desalination.

Suggested Citation

  • Gang Lu & Hubao A & Yuanyuan Zhao & Yan Zhao & Hengyue Xu & Wentao Shang & Xi Chen & Jiawei Sun & Huacheng Zhang & Jun Wu & Bing Dai & Bart Bruggen & Raf Dewil & Alicia Kyoungjin An & Shuang Zheng, 2025. "Nano-confined controllable crystallization in supramolecular polymeric membranes for ultra-selective desalination," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57353-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57353-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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