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Free keywords:
ions transport, carbon nitride, 2D membrane, nanoporous membrane, energy conversion
Abstract:
Ions transport through confined space with characteristic dimensions comparable to the Debye length has many applications, e.g. in water desalination, dialysis, and energy conversion. However, the existing 2D/3D smart porous membrane for ions transport and further applications are always fragile, thermolabile, and/or difficult to scale up, limiting their practical applicability. Here, we report that polymeric carbon nitride alternatively allows creating an ultrathin free-standing carbon nitride membrane (UFSCNM), which can be fabricated by simple CVD polymerization and exhibits per se excellent nanofluidic ions transport properties. The surface-charge-governed ion transport also endows such UFSCNMs with the function of converting salinity gradients into electric energy. With advantages of low cost, facile fabrication, and the ease of scale up while supporting high ionic currents, UFSCNM can be considered as an alternative candidate for the energy conversion system and new ionic devices.
