Ultra-Fast Preparation of Large-Area Graphdiyne-Based Membranes via Alkynylated Surface-Modification for Nanofiltration

Graphdiynes (GDYs), two-dimensional graphene-like carbon systems, are considered as potential advanced membrane material due to their unique physicochemical features. Nevertheless, the scale-up of integrated GDY membranes is technologically challenging, and most studies remain at the theoretical stage. Herein, we report a simple and efficient alkynylated surface-mediated strategy to prepare hydrogen-substituted graphdiyne (HsGDY) membranes on commercial alumina tubes. Surface alkynylation initiates an accelerated surface-confined coupling reaction in the presence of a copper catalyst and facilitates the nanoscale epitaxial lateral growth of HsGDY. A continuous and ultra-thin HsGDY membrane (similar to 100 nm) can be produced within 15 min. The resulting membranes exhibit outstanding molecular sieving together with excellent water permeances (ca. 1100 L m(-2) h(-1) MPa-1), and show a long-term durability in cross-flow nanofiltration, owing to the superhydrophilic surface and hydrophobic pore walls.

Automated summary

Graphdiynes (GDYs), two-dimensional graphene-like carbon systems, are considered as potential advanced membrane material due to their unique physicochemical features. Herein, we report a simple and efficient alkynylated surface-mediated strategy to prepare hydrogen-substituted graphdiyne (HsGDY) membranes on commercial alumina tubes. The resulting membranes exhibit outstanding molecular sieving together with excellent water permeances and show a long-term durability in cross-flow nanofiltration, owing to the superhydrophilic surface and hydrophobic pore walls.