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Balancing in-plane pores and interlayer channels of porous MXene nanosheet membranes for scalable hydrogen purification

Author

Listed:
  • Yufei Wang

    (South China University of Technology)

  • Zenan Shi

    (South China University of Technology)

  • Mide Luo

    (South China University of Technology)

  • Yeming Zhai

    (Nankai District)

  • Changfei Jing

    (East China University of Science & Technology)

  • Li Ding

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Sheng Dai

    (East China University of Science & Technology)

  • Kai-Ge Zhou

    (Nankai District)

  • Libo Li

    (South China University of Technology)

  • Shuming Li

    (South China University of Technology)

  • Jiayu Luo

    (South China University of Technology)

  • Yali Zhao

    (South China University of Technology)

  • Wufeng Wu

    (South China University of Technology)

  • Zong Lu

    (South China University of Technology)

  • Lan Lan

    (Nankai District)

  • Wenbo Li

    (East China University of Science & Technology)

  • Yanying Wei

    (South China University of Technology)

  • Haihui Wang

    (Tsinghua University)

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) nanosheet membranes exhibit promising H2 purification due to their atomic thickness. However, the synergistic interplay between in-plane pores and interlayer spacing on gas transport in 2D membrane has never been studied. Here, we engineer porous MXene nanosheets with artificially controllable in-plane pore to construct membranes with precise interlayer spacing, balancing the two types of channels for promising H2/CO2 separation. Optimal porous-MXene nanosheet membranes achieve a threefold increase in H2 permeance (1335 GPU) over nonporous-MXene nanosheet membranes (419 GPU) with comparable H2/CO2 selectivity (118). Theory and experiment demonstrate that the larger in-plane pores provide fast mass transfer channels enhancing H2 permeance, while smaller interlayer spacings as effective sieving channels govern selectivity. The Raman mapping visualizes H2 transport through in-plane pores. Manufacturing of meter-scale membranes underscores industrial viability. This work establishes universal design principles in high-performance 2D nanosheet membranes for separation, adsorption and catalysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Yufei Wang & Zenan Shi & Mide Luo & Yeming Zhai & Changfei Jing & Li Ding & Sheng Dai & Kai-Ge Zhou & Libo Li & Shuming Li & Jiayu Luo & Yali Zhao & Wufeng Wu & Zong Lu & Lan Lan & Wenbo Li & Yanying , 2025. "Balancing in-plane pores and interlayer channels of porous MXene nanosheet membranes for scalable hydrogen purification," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-64942-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64942-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Li Ding & Libo Li & Yanchang Liu & Yi Wu & Zong Lu & Junjie Deng & Yanying Wei & Jürgen Caro & Haihui Wang, 2020. "Effective ion sieving with Ti3C2Tx MXene membranes for production of drinking water from seawater," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(4), pages 296-302, April.
    2. Wufeng Wu & Xitai Cai & Xianfeng Yang & Yanying Wei & Li Ding & Libo Li & Haihui Wang, 2024. "Accurate stacking engineering of MOF nanosheets as membranes for precise H2 sieving," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Li Ding & Yanying Wei & Libo Li & Tao Zhang & Haihui Wang & Jian Xue & Liang-Xin Ding & Suqing Wang & Jürgen Caro & Yury Gogotsi, 2018. "MXene molecular sieving membranes for highly efficient gas separation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-7, December.
    4. Yisa Zhou & Ying Wu & Haoyu Wu & Jian Xue & Li Ding & Rui Wang & Haihui Wang, 2022. "Author Correction: Fast hydrogen purification through graphitic carbon nitride nanosheet membranes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-1, December.
    5. Xuerui Wang & Chenglong Chi & Kang Zhang & Yuhong Qian & Krishna M. Gupta & Zixi Kang & Jianwen Jiang & Dan Zhao, 2017. "Reversed thermo-switchable molecular sieving membranes composed of two-dimensional metal-organic nanosheets for gas separation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-10, April.
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