New Type of Membrane Material for Water Desalination Based on a Cross-Linked Bicontinuous Cubic Lyotropic Liquid Crystal Assembly.

The article demonstrates a new type of nanoporous polymer capable of efficient water desalination and nanofiltration (NF). Based on a cross-linked Q1-phase lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) assembly, the authors note that the material has an effective pore size of 0.75 nanometer and is capable of high salt rejection, with a water permeability similar to that of commercial reverse osmosis (RO) membranes in dead-end filtration. Results of the study and its implications are presented and discussed.