The reporter learned from the University of Science and Technology of China that Professor Wu Hengan and Dr. Wang Fengchao from the Department of Modern Mechanics at the School of Engineering Science have joined forces with Nobel Prize winner and University of Manchester professor Andre Geim to explore the potential of graphene in functional materials. Their groundbreaking research has led to a significant discovery: graphene oxide films can precisely and rapidly filter ions, a finding published in the latest issue of *Science*.
Known as the "magic material" due to its remarkable mechanical and electrical properties, graphene has long fascinated scientists. However, the way it interacts with water remains unclear. While the graphene surface is naturally hydrophobic, when immersed in water, capillary channels within the film allow rapid water movement. The new study reveals that in a water environment, graphene oxide forms capillary channels about 0.9 nm wide, enabling ions or molecules smaller than 0.9 nm to pass through quickly, while blocking larger ones. This selective filtration is not only highly accurate but also thousands of times faster than traditional diffusion methods.
Professor Wu Hengan’s team used theoretical analysis and molecular simulations to uncover the mechanism behind this rapid ion filtration. Their computer models showed that the interaction between graphene and ions causes them to gather in the nanochannels, accelerating their movement. This phenomenon, dubbed the "ion sponge effect," helps explain the experimental results and opens new avenues for understanding graphene's behavior.
Experts believe that by further compressing the capillary channels using mechanical techniques, it could become possible to efficiently remove salt from seawater. This could lead to the development of a filtration device capable of desalinating a cup of seawater into drinkable water in just minutes—turning what was once science fiction into reality.
*Science* has highlighted this breakthrough, noting that the findings position graphene oxide films as key players in various separation technologies, including desalination, purification, sensing, and energy conversion. The implications of this research are vast, signaling a major step forward in the application of graphene-based materials.
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