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Previously graphene-oxide membranes were shown to be completely impermeable to all solvents except for water. However, a study published in Nature Materials, now shows that we can tailor the molecules that pass through these membranes by simply making them ultrathin.
The research team led by Professor Rahul Nair at the National Graphene Institute and School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science at The University of Manchester tailored this membrane to allow all solvents to pass through but without compromising it's ability to sieve out the smallest of particles.
In the newly developed ultrathin membranes, graphene-oxide sheets are assembled in such a way that pinholes formed during the assembly are interconnected by graphene nanochannels, which produces an atomic-scale sieve allowing the large flow of solvents through the membrane.
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Prof. Nair said, "Just for a fun, we even filtered whisky and cognac through the graphene-oxide membrane. The membrane allowed the alcohol to pass through but removed the larger molecules, which gives the amber colour. The clear whisky smells similar to the original whisky but we are not allowed to drink it in the lab, however it was a funny Friday night experiment!"
Minute control over the sheets of graphene allow them to tailor filters for exact purposes like desalinization.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by pTamok on Wednesday November 15 2017, @07:48AM (6 children)
The ghost of my old chemistry teacher is even now on the way to Manchester to dig Charlotte Powell, Graphene Communications and Marketing Assistant sharply in the ribs. It's not clear, it's colourless.
A liquid that allows all wavelengths of the optical spectrum to pass through without appreciable dispersion or absorption is colourless. If it selectively absorbs some wavelengths, it is still clear/transparent for the others, but displays a colour. If it disperses the light, it becomes translucent and/or turbid, depending on the dispersion mechanism.
And, is it too difficult to link to the actual paper, or give a DOI?
I think it is this one: Ultrathin graphene-based membrane with precise molecular sieving and ultrafast solvent permeation [nature.com] doi:10.1038/nmat5025
...but I'm not sure, as the PR puff piece doesn't make it clear.
(Score: 5, Funny) by inertnet on Wednesday November 15 2017, @09:00AM (2 children)
Thanks for making that clear.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 15 2017, @05:51PM (1 child)
You mean colorless.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 16 2017, @12:29AM
We used to say "water white."
(Score: 1) by Ethanol-fueled on Wednesday November 15 2017, @09:08AM (1 child)
I take it that you've never seen graphene synthized in your cup.
Well, don't drink it. It don't look pretty and it ain't The Best part of Wakin' Up. [youtube.com]
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Wednesday November 15 2017, @10:00AM
First, it's graphene oxide.
Second, I like best the one prepared by using piranha solution [academia.edu].
Exquisite flavour when fresh and fizzy, you won't forget it your entire life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by Taibhsear on Wednesday November 15 2017, @04:35PM
+1 scientific pedantry.