Percolative proton transport in hexagonal boron nitride membranes with edge-functionalization
Two-dimensional layered materials have been used as matrices to study the structure and dynamics of trapped water and ions. Here, we demonstrate unique features of proton transport in layered hexagonal boron nitride membranes with edge-functionalization subject to hydration. The hydration-independen...
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Published in | Nanoscale advances Vol. 5; no. 18; p. 491 |
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Main Authors | , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
RSC
12.09.2023
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
ISSN | 2516-0230 2516-0230 |
DOI | 10.1039/d3na00524k |
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Summary: | Two-dimensional layered materials have been used as matrices to study the structure and dynamics of trapped water and ions. Here, we demonstrate unique features of proton transport in layered hexagonal boron nitride membranes with edge-functionalization subject to hydration. The hydration-independent interlayer spacing indicates the absence of water intercalation between the h-BN sheets. An 18-fold increase in water sorption is observed upon amine functionalization of h-BN sheet edges. A 7-orders of magnitude increase in proton conductivity is observed with less than 5% water loading attributable to edge-conduction channels. The extremely low percolation threshold and non-universal critical exponents (2.90 ≤
α
≤ 4.43), are clear signatures of transport along the functionalized edges. Anomalous thickness dependence of conductivity is observed and its plausible origin is discussed.
An extremely low percolation threshold and non-universal critical exponents are unique aspects of proton transport along the amine-functionalized edges of hexagonal boron nitrides. |
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Bibliography: | https://doi.org/10.1039/d3na00524k Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 2516-0230 2516-0230 |
DOI: | 10.1039/d3na00524k |