Efficient Light-Driven Ion Pumping for Deep Desalination via the Vertical Gradient Protonation of Covalent Organic Framework MembranesClick to copy article linkArticle link copied!
- Weipeng XianWeipeng XianZhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaMore by Weipeng Xian
- Xiaoyi XuXiaoyi XuState Key Laboratory of Silicon and Advanced Semiconductor Materials, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaMore by Xiaoyi Xu
- Yongxin GeYongxin GeState Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaMore by Yongxin Ge
- Zhiwei XingZhiwei XingZhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaMore by Zhiwei Xing
- Zhuozhi LaiZhuozhi LaiZhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaMore by Zhuozhi Lai
- Qing-Wei MengQing-Wei MengZhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaMore by Qing-Wei Meng
- Zhifeng DaiZhifeng DaiKey Laboratory of Surface & Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, ChinaLonggang Institute of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Wenzhou 325802, ChinaMore by Zhifeng Dai
- Sai Wang*Sai Wang*Email: [email protected]Hangzhou Institute of Advanced Studies, Zhejiang Normal University, Hangzhou 310015, ChinaMore by Sai Wang
- Ruotian ChenRuotian ChenState Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, ChinaMore by Ruotian Chen
- Ning HuangNing HuangState Key Laboratory of Silicon and Advanced Semiconductor Materials, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaMore by Ning Huang
- Shengqian MaShengqian MaDepartment of Chemistry, University of North Texas, 1508 W Mulberry St, Denton, Texas 76201, United StatesMore by Shengqian Ma
- Qi Sun*Qi Sun*Email: [email protected]Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaMore by Qi Sun
Abstract
Traditional desalination methods face criticism due to high energy requirements and inadequate trace ion removal, whereas natural light-driven ion pumps offer superior efficiency. Current synthetic systems are constrained by short exciton lifetimes, which limit their ability to generate sufficient electric fields for effective ion pumping. We introduce an innovative approach utilizing covalent-organic framework membranes that enhance light absorption and reduce charge recombination through vertical gradient protonation of imine linkages during acid-catalyzed liquid–liquid interfacial polymerization. This technique creates intralayer and interlayer heterojunctions, facilitating interlayer hybridization and establishing a robust built-in electric field under illumination. These improvements enable the membranes to achieve remarkable ion transport across extreme concentration gradients (2000:1), with a transport rate of approximately 3.2 × 1012 ions per second per square centimeter and reduce ion concentrations to parts per billion. This performance significantly surpasses that of conventional reverse osmosis systems, representing a major advancement in solar-powered desalination technology by substantially reducing energy consumption and secondary waste.
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