2D Nanosheets and Their Composite Membranes for Water, Gas, and Ion Separation.

Two-dimensional nanosheets have shown great potential for separation applications because of their exceptional molecular transport properties. Nanosheet materials such as graphene oxides, metal organic frameworks, and covalent organic frameworks provide unique molecular transport through nanopores and/or nanochannels that exhibit precise and fast transport. However, dimensional instability of nanosheets in harsh environments diminishes the membrane performance and hinders their long-term operation in various applications such as gas separation, water desalination and ion separation. Recent progress in nanosheet membranes has included modification by crosslinking or functionalization that improved the stability of the membranes, their separation functionality, and the scalability of membrane formation while retaining the membranes' excellent molecular transport properties. These improvements have enhanced the potential of nanosheet membranes in practical applications such as separation processes.