Journal article
Dynamic control of molecular transport MXene transistor membranes
Science advances, v 11(51), eadx6361
19 Dec 2025
PMID: 41417884
Abstract
Controlled spatial confinement and surface properties of lamellar 2D nanomaterial membranes could enhance many precision separation processes. Traditionally, researchers view channel dimensions, surface properties, and permeation rates of these membranes as intrinsic properties that cannot be modulated in operando. We report that gate voltage applied to the conducting laminar MXene membrane can modulate the permeation rate of ions and neutral solutes, as well as its effective size rejection. In operando wide-angle x-ray scattering measurements reveal that these changes are not driven by electrically induced variations in the d spacing of the MXene layers. Instead, experimental data and continuum electrokinetic modeling reveal that ion transport through the MXene channels is primarily affected by Donnan equilibrium at the membrane-solution interface. We also report a strong increase in the permeation rates through the membrane under a low-frequency ac voltage gating regime that we attribute to diffusioosmotic flow oscillations induced in the membrane. Overall, MXene "transistor" membranes provide a previously unidentified approach to dynamic control of molecular separations.Controlled spatial confinement and surface properties of lamellar 2D nanomaterial membranes could enhance many precision separation processes. Traditionally, researchers view channel dimensions, surface properties, and permeation rates of these membranes as intrinsic properties that cannot be modulated in operando. We report that gate voltage applied to the conducting laminar MXene membrane can modulate the permeation rate of ions and neutral solutes, as well as its effective size rejection. In operando wide-angle x-ray scattering measurements reveal that these changes are not driven by electrically induced variations in the d spacing of the MXene layers. Instead, experimental data and continuum electrokinetic modeling reveal that ion transport through the MXene channels is primarily affected by Donnan equilibrium at the membrane-solution interface. We also report a strong increase in the permeation rates through the membrane under a low-frequency ac voltage gating regime that we attribute to diffusioosmotic flow oscillations induced in the membrane. Overall, MXene "transistor" membranes provide a previously unidentified approach to dynamic control of molecular separations.
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Details
- Title
- Dynamic control of molecular transport MXene transistor membranes
- Creators
- Aaditya Pendse - Lawrence Livermore National LaboratoryArjun V Yennemadi - Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyThomas J Ferron - Lawrence Livermore National LaboratoryAnthony van BuurenArmin VahidMohammadi - Drexel UniversityTeng Zhang - Drexel UniversityYury Gogotsi - Drexel UniversityMartin Z Bazant (Corresponding Author) - Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyAleksandr Noy - Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- Publication Details
- Science advances, v 11(51), eadx6361
- Publisher
- American Association for the Advancement of Science; WASHINGTON
- Number of pages
- 10
- Grant note
- U.S. Department of Energy: DE-SC0019112 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Office of Science: 24-ERD-016
MXene transport studies under AC gate bias were supported as part of the Center for Enhanced Nanofluidic Transport (CENT), an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the US Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Basic Energy Sciences under award no. DE-SC0019112 (MZB and AN). X-ray studies were supported by the US DOE, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Materials Science and Engineering under award no. SCW1607 (A.N. and A.v.B.).This research used beamline 7.3.3 of the Advanced Light Source, which is a DOE Office of Science User Facility under contract no. DE-AC02-05CH11231. MXene membrane characterization and transport studies under DC bias were supported by the LDRD program at LLNL under award 24-ERD-016 (A.N.). MXene development at Drexel University was supported by the US DOE, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, grant no. DE-SC0018618 (Y.G.). Work at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory was performed under the auspices of the US DOE under contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Materials Science and Engineering; A.J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001643389400022
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105025600427
- Other Identifier
- 991022146957104721
InCites Highlights
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Materials Science, Multidisciplinary