Janus Membranes: Creating Asymmetry for Energy Efficiency

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) Vol. 30; no. 43; pp. e1801495 - n/a
• Main Authors: Yang, Hao‐Cheng, Xie, Yunsong, Hou, Jingwei, Cheetham, Anthony K., Chen, Vicki, Darling, Seth B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.10.2018; Wiley
• Subjects: asymmetric structures; Asymmetry; Energy efficiency; Janus membranes; MATERIALS SCIENCE; Membrane processes; Membranes; Power efficiency; Wettability; asymmetric structures; energy efficiency; Janus membranes
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201801495

Membranes are recognized as a key component in many environment and energy‐related applications, but conventional membranes are challenged to satisfy the growing demand for ever more energy‐efficient processes. Janus membranes, a novel class with asymmetric properties on each side, have recently emerged and represent enticing opportunities to address this challenge. With an inner driving force arising from their asymmetric configuration, Janus membranes are appealing for enhancing energy efficiency in a variety of membrane processes by promoting the desired transport. Here, the fundamental principles to prepare Janus membranes with asymmetric surface wettability and charges are summarized, and how they work in conventional and unconventional membrane processes is demonstrated. The rise of Janus membranes brings new opportunities to tackle challenges surrounding energy management, while also enabling novel functions that are not even viable when using conventional membranes.