Synthetic subnanochannels in porous aromatic frameworks accelerate selective water permeation in membrane desalination

Creation of freeways in a membrane accelerates water transport for efficient desalination; however, the synthesis target materials is very challenging. In present study, molecular-design strategy developed porous aromatic framework (PAF) membranes with rigid and open networks to regulate transport. Nitrile-based monomers triangle shape are designed construction PAF-98 its sister frameworks, these PAF formed through trifluoromethan-esulfonic acid catalysis. The rigidity geometry endow PAFs unique structures connected pores edging size (4.5–6.7 Å) between (2.8 hydrated sodium molecules (7.2 Å), enabling effective differentiation salt. fabricated high flexibility continuity ideal desalination, reverse osmosis experiments demonstrate that three selective permeation over cations. Unprecedented flux 547.1 L m−2 h−1 rejection degree 90% obtained on representative PAF-98-E; desalination performance superior currently available materials. Furthermore, PAF-98-E capable rejecting various cations efficiency real seawater, holding great promise practical application.