Yonsei University Team Develops Ultra-Precise Organic Solvent Nanofiltration Graphene Separation Membrane Based on Atomic Layer Deposition

A groundbreaking advancement in separation technology has emerged from Yonsei University, promising to revolutionize numerous industrial processes. Researchers led by Professor Kim Dae-woo from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering have successfully developed a nanoporous graphene separation membrane that utilizes atomic layer deposition (ALD) for precise structural control.

This innovative membrane addresses the significant challenges faced by current separation methods, such as distillation and crystallization, which are energy-intensive and costly. The new technology focuses on organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN), a critical process for purifying and reusing organic solvents, which are increasingly used across various sectors. Graphene, known for its chemical stability and mechanical strength, has long been considered a promising material for separation membranes, but previous attempts were hampered by non-selective defects and swelling in organic solvents.

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This research is significant in that it overcame the limitations of existing separation membrane technology through structural design by precisely controlling the structure of nanoporous graphene at the atomic level.

The Yonsei University team's breakthrough lies in their application of ALD to the post-treatment of the graphene membrane. This process precisely seals off large pores and defects while creating a unique "gradient structure" of alumina. This structure not only reinforces the graphene layers but also refines the pore size, effectively suppressing swelling in organic solvents while maintaining graphene's inherent high solvent transport characteristics. The resulting membrane demonstrates remarkable performance, achieving high permeability and precise molecular weight cut-off, surpassing the limitations of existing OSN membranes and offering a significant leap forward in separation efficiency and selectivity.

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This technology can be expanded to various industrial fields, including solvent purification in pharmaceutical and fine chemical processes, as well as pretreatment and reuse of high-purity organic solvents in the semiconductor industry.