Open AccessElectrochemical Probing of Steric, Electrostatic and Hydrophobic Interactions of Large Cations in Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity
Author(s) -
Taylor Frey,
Krista R Fruehauf,
Rachel Lucas,
Jake W Polster,
Kenneth J. Shea,
Zuzanna S. Siwy
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of the electrochemical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.258
H-Index - 271
eISSN - 1945-7111
pISSN - 0013-4651
DOI - 10.1149/1945-7111/ac5303
Subject(s) - nanopore , membrane , steric effects , polymer , ionic bonding , porosity , electrochemistry , molecule , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , materials science , ion , porous medium , chemistry , organic chemistry , electrode , biochemistry , engineering
Porous membranes have been used for many applications, including separations in biotechnology, the food industry, water purification, and even energy storage devices. The benefit of polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) is their consistently sized nanopore channels. Inherent functionalities of the PIM structure not only create these channels but are also available for further modifications that can change the interactions of ions and molecules inside of the pore. Here we design solid state nanopores on which are drop-casted two different PIMs, functionalized with either a cyano group or a carboxylic acid. Ionic transport through the membranes is investigated based on pore size and charge-charge interactions, as well as steric and hydrophobic interactions. Achieving specific ion selectivity with easily processable porous membranes opens new avenues for water purification strategies and energy storage.