Shielding effect enables fast ion transfer through nanoporous membrane for highly energy-efficient electrodialysis

This paper presents the development of a thin-film composite nanoporous membrane for highly efficient electrodialysis. Co-deposition of dopamine and polyethyleneimine tailors membrane surface properties, enhancing charge shielding and fast anion transfer. The membrane demonstrates superior electrodialytic fractionation of organics and NaCl with negligible fouling, outperforming existing anion exchange membranes. This research offers a facile design for high-performance anion-conducting membranes and reveals new mass transport mechanisms in electrodialytic separation, advancing sustainable wastewater management.

Jiuyang Lin, Wenyuan Ye, Shuangling Xie, Jiale Du, Riri Liu, Dong Zou, Xiangyu Chen, Zijian Yu, Shengqiong Fang, Elisa Yun Mei Ang, William Toh, Dan Dan Han, Teng Yong Ng, Dong Han Seo, Shuaifei Zhao, Bart Van der Bruggen, Ming Xie, Young Moo Lee