AI Article Synopsis
- Scientists found that tiny rings called fluorous oligoamide nanorings can help water move really fast through them because of their special surfaces.
- These nanorings can form channels in cell membranes, and the tiniest ones let water through way faster than other known methods.
- Plus, these channels block salt from getting through, making them good for cleaning seawater to drink.
Article Abstract
Ultrafast water permeation in aquaporins is promoted by their hydrophobic interior surface. Polytetrafluoroethylene has a dense fluorine surface, leading to its strong water repellence. We report a series of fluorous oligoamide nanorings with interior diameters ranging from 0.9 to 1.9 nanometers. These nanorings undergo supramolecular polymerization in phospholipid bilayer membranes to form fluorous nanochannels, the interior walls of which are densely covered with fluorine atoms. The nanochannel with the smallest diameter exhibits a water permeation flux that is two orders of magnitude greater than those of aquaporins and carbon nanotubes. The proposed nanochannel exhibits negligible chloride ion (Cl) permeability caused by a powerful electrostatic barrier provided by the electrostatically negative fluorous interior surface. Thus, this nanochannel is expected to show nearly perfect salt reflectance for desalination.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abd0966 | DOI Listing |
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