Revolutionary Graphene Discovery Paves the Way for Targeted Ion Filtration Solutions

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Graphene is a remarkably thin, flexible, and resilient material constructed from pure carbon. It forms layers comprising essentially a single layer of carbon atoms. To achieve a thickness equivalent to that of a human hair, numerous such layers would need to be piled on top of each other.

Numerous scientists are diligently studying graphene. There is a significant reason for this, as the unique characteristics of the material suggest potential new applications, such as in electronics or energy technology.

Enhancing Graphene’s Permeability to Other Molecules

It is particularly fascinating for researchers to manipulate the permeability of graphene toward various substances: ‘The so-called defects can be introduced into the carbon lattice of graphene. These can be envisioned as tiny openings that allow the lattice to be permeable to gases,’ explains chemistry professor Frank Würthner from Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU) Würzburg in Bavaria, Germany.

Permeability to other substances, including ions such as fluoride, chloride, or bromide, has not yet been documented. ‘Nevertheless, this would be of fundamental scientific significance for uses like desalination of water, detection, or purification of mixtures of substances,’ elucidates the Würzburg professor.

Defect Allows Ions to Pass Through: Publication in Nature

For the first time, an exploration led by Frank Würthner has developed a model system featuring a defect that enables the passage of halides fluoride, chloride, and bromide, though not iodide. This was accomplished in a stable double layer comprising two nanographenes that surrounds a cavity. The infiltrated halide ions are contained within this cavity, allowing the time taken for entry to be measured. The findings have been published in the journal Nature.

Chloride is a part of common salt, present in seawater, and plays a vital role in the life processes of all organisms. ‘The demonstration of a high permeability for chloride through single-layer nanographene and selective binding of halides within a double-layer nanographene is bringing several applications closer,’ states Dr. Kazutaka Shoyama, who initiated and headed the project alongside Frank Würthner. Such applications encompass water filtration membranes, synthetic receptors, and chloride channels.

Larger Stacks of Nanographenes are the Next Target

In the subsequent phase, the Würzburg chemists aim to create larger stacks of their nanographenes. They intend to use these to examine the movement of ions – a process that similarly occurs in biological ion channels.

Reference: Niyas MA, Shoyama K, Grüne M, Würthner F. Bilayer nanographene reveals halide permeation through a benzene hole. Nature. 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-08299-8

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