Nanomechanics of Ultrathin Carbon Nanomembranes.

Ultrathin carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) are two-dimensional materials (2DM) of a few nm thickness with sub-nm intrinsic pores that mimic the biofiltration membranes found in nature. They enable highly selective, permeable, and energy-efficient water separation and can be produced at large scales on porous substrates with tuned properties. The present work reports the mechanical performance of such CNMs produced by p-nitrobiphenyl phosphonic acid (NBPS) or polyvinylbiphenyl (PVBP) and their composite membranes of microporous supporting substrates, which constitute indispensable information for ensuring their mechanical stability during operation.