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Selective transport of water molecules through interlayer spaces in graphite

Author

Listed:
  • Lalita Saini

    (Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar)

  • Siva Sankar Nemala

    (Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar)

  • Aparna Rathi

    (Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar)

  • Suvigya Kaushik

    (Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar)

  • Gopinadhan Kalon

    (Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar
    Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar)

Abstract

Interlayer space in graphite is impermeable to ions and molecules, including protons. Its controlled expansion would find several applications in desalination, gas purification, high-density batteries, etc. In the past, metal intercalation has been used to modify graphitic interlayer spaces; however, resultant intercalation compounds are unstable in water. Here, we successfully expanded graphite interlayer spaces by intercalating aqueous KCl ions electrochemically. Our spectroscopy studies provide clear evidence for cation-π interactions explaining the stability of the devices, though weak anion-π interactions were also detectable. The water conductivity shows several orders of enhancement when compared to unintercalated graphite. Water evaporation experiments further confirm the high permeation rate. There is weak ion permeation through interlayer spaces, up to the highest chloride concentration of 1 M, an indication of sterically limited transport. In these very few transported ions, we observe hydration energy-dependent selectivity between salt ions. These strongly suggest a soft ball model of steric exclusion, which is rarely reported. These findings improve our understanding of molecular and ionic transport at the atomic scale.

Suggested Citation

  • Lalita Saini & Siva Sankar Nemala & Aparna Rathi & Suvigya Kaushik & Gopinadhan Kalon, 2022. "Selective transport of water molecules through interlayer spaces in graphite," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-7, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-28162-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28162-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kazuyoshi Murata & Kaoru Mitsuoka & Teruhisa Hirai & Thomas Walz & Peter Agre & J. Bernard Heymann & Andreas Engel & Yoshinori Fujiyoshi, 2000. "Structural determinants of water permeation through aquaporin-1," Nature, Nature, vol. 407(6804), pages 599-605, October.
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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.

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