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Perfect proton selectivity in ion transport through two-dimensional crystals

Author

Listed:
  • L. Mogg

    (The University of Manchester
    The University of Manchester)

  • S. Zhang

    (The University of Manchester
    School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University)

  • G.-P. Hao

    (The University of Manchester
    Dalian University of Technology)

  • K. Gopinadhan

    (The University of Manchester
    Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar)

  • D. Barry

    (The University of Manchester)

  • B. L. Liu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • H. M. Cheng

    (Tsinghua University)

  • A. K. Geim

    (The University of Manchester
    The University of Manchester)

  • M. Lozada-Hidalgo

    (The University of Manchester
    The University of Manchester)

Abstract

Defect-free monolayers of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride are surprisingly permeable to thermal protons, despite being completely impenetrable to all gases. It remains untested whether small ions can permeate through the two-dimensional crystals. Here we show that mechanically exfoliated graphene and hexagonal boron nitride exhibit perfect Nernst selectivity such that only protons can permeate through, with no detectable flow of counterions. In the experiments, we use suspended monolayers that have few, if any, atomic-scale defects, as shown by gas permeation tests, and place them to separate reservoirs filled with hydrochloric acid solutions. Protons account for all the electrical current and chloride ions are blocked. This result corroborates the previous conclusion that thermal protons can pierce defect-free two-dimensional crystals. Besides the importance for theoretical developments, our results are also of interest for research on various separation technologies based on two-dimensional materials.

Suggested Citation

  • L. Mogg & S. Zhang & G.-P. Hao & K. Gopinadhan & D. Barry & B. L. Liu & H. M. Cheng & A. K. Geim & M. Lozada-Hidalgo, 2019. "Perfect proton selectivity in ion transport through two-dimensional crystals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-5, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-12314-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12314-2
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    Cited by:

    1. S. Huang & E. Griffin & J. Cai & B. Xin & J. Tong & Y. Fu & V. Kravets & F. M. Peeters & M. Lozada-Hidalgo, 2023. "Gate-controlled suppression of light-driven proton transport through graphene electrodes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-7, December.
    2. J. Cai & E. Griffin & V. H. Guarochico-Moreira & D. Barry & B. Xin & M. Yagmurcukardes & S. Zhang & A. K. Geim & F. M. Peeters & M. Lozada-Hidalgo, 2022. "Wien effect in interfacial water dissociation through proton-permeable graphene electrodes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-7, December.
    3. Z. F. Wu & P. Z. Sun & O. J. Wahab & Y. T. Tan & D. Barry & D. Periyanagounder & P. B. Pillai & Q. Dai & W. Q. Xiong & L. F. Vega & K. Lulla & S. J. Yuan & R. R. Nair & E. Daviddi & P. R. Unwin & A. K, 2023. "Proton and molecular permeation through the basal plane of monolayer graphene oxide," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
    4. Quanquan Guo & Wei Li & Xiaodong Li & Jiaxu Zhang & Davood Sabaghi & Jianjun Zhang & Bowen Zhang & Dongqi Li & Jingwei Du & Xingyuan Chu & Sein Chung & Kilwon Cho & Nguyen Ngan Nguyen & Zhongquan Liao, 2024. "Proton-selective coating enables fast-kinetics high-mass-loading cathodes for sustainable zinc batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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