Manipulating central intermolecular interaction in confined nanochannels for fast transport

Abstract The study of molecule transport within confined nanochannels is crucial to developing high‐performance membranes. Previous studies mainly focus on the interfacial molecule transport; however, the central molecule transport, equally crucial, has been disregarded. Herein, vertically aligned vermiculite‐based (Vr‐based) membranes with long‐range nanochannels are engineered to ensure a stable flow. Meanwhile, the channel surfaces are functionalized (–CH 3 , –NH 2 , and –CF 3 groups) to tune the interaction with interfacial molecules, thus affecting the intermolecular interaction of central molecules. We demonstrate that strong channel‐molecule interaction between polar walls and protonic solvents can impede the formation of hydrogen‐bond networks in central molecules, thus reducing the central intermolecular interaction and enabling fast transport. For instance, the Vr‐CF 3 membrane displays a 69% improvement in water permeance in comparison to the Vr‐CH 3 membrane, achieving 13.0 LMH bar −1 . Nevertheless, nonpolar walls with weak channel‐molecule interaction show uninfluenced intermolecular interaction, giving comparable transport ability for both protonic and non‐protonic solvents.