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Cation-controlled wetting properties of vermiculite membranes and its promise for fouling resistant oil–water separation

Author

Listed:
  • K. Huang

    (University of Manchester
    University of Manchester)

  • P. Rowe

    (University College London)

  • C. Chi

    (University of Manchester
    University of Manchester)

  • V. Sreepal

    (University of Manchester
    University of Manchester)

  • T. Bohn

    (University of Manchester
    University of Manchester)

  • K.-G. Zhou

    (University of Manchester
    University of Manchester
    Tianjin University)

  • Y. Su

    (University of Manchester
    University of Manchester
    Loughborough University)

  • E. Prestat

    (University of Manchester)

  • P. Balakrishna Pillai

    (University of Manchester
    University of Manchester)

  • C. T. Cherian

    (University of Manchester
    University of Manchester
    CHRIST (Deemed to be University))

  • A. Michaelides

    (University College London)

  • R. R. Nair

    (University of Manchester
    University of Manchester
    Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials)

Abstract

Manipulating the surface energy, and thereby the wetting properties of solids, has promise for various physical, chemical, biological and industrial processes. Typically, this is achieved by either chemical modification or by controlling the hierarchical structures of surfaces. Here we report a phenomenon whereby the wetting properties of vermiculite laminates are controlled by the hydrated cations on the surface and in the interlamellar space. We find that vermiculite laminates can be tuned from superhydrophilic to hydrophobic simply by exchanging the cations; hydrophilicity decreases with increasing cation hydration free energy, except for lithium. The lithium-exchanged vermiculite laminate is found to provide a superhydrophilic surface due to its anomalous hydrated structure at the vermiculite surface. Building on these findings, we demonstrate the potential application of superhydrophilic lithium exchanged vermiculite as a thin coating layer on microfiltration membranes to resist fouling, and thus, we address a major challenge for oil–water separation technology.

Suggested Citation

  • K. Huang & P. Rowe & C. Chi & V. Sreepal & T. Bohn & K.-G. Zhou & Y. Su & E. Prestat & P. Balakrishna Pillai & C. T. Cherian & A. Michaelides & R. R. Nair, 2020. "Cation-controlled wetting properties of vermiculite membranes and its promise for fouling resistant oil–water separation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-14854-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14854-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Xin Yu & Wencai Ren, 2023. "2D CdPS3-based versatile superionic conductors," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Jin Wang & Zheng Cui & Shangzhen Li & Zeyuan Song & Miaolu He & Danxi Huang & Yuan Feng & YanZheng Liu & Ke Zhou & Xudong Wang & Lei Wang, 2024. "Unlocking osmotic energy harvesting potential in challenging real-world hypersaline environments through vermiculite-based hetero-nanochannels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Geraint Sullivan & Chris Griffiths & Eifion Jewell & Justin Searle & Jonathon Elvins, 2023. "Cycling Stability of Calcium-Impregnated Vermiculite in Open Reactor Used as a Thermochemical Storage Material," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-12, October.

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