Membranes that selectively block or permeate water vapor find application in dehydration of gaseous streams, pervaporation, humidity control in buildings, protection of moisture sensitive electronics, and in breathable fabrics for environmental protective clothing. Many of these application areas could benefit from the incorporation of carbon nanotubes into membrane materials. Recent studies have demonstrated the ability of carbon nanotubes to enable ultrafast water vapor diffusion through their inner volume, as well as to promote dehumidification of gas streams flowing through their interstitial spaces. Membranes with porosity solely made of the inner channels of carbon nanotubes are especially promising for the development of next generation protective garments because enable a long-sought-after combination of outstanding breathability with protection.

选择性阻隔或渗透水蒸气的膜可用于气流的脱水，渗透，建筑物中的湿度控制，对湿度敏感的电子产品的保护以及用于环保服装的透气织物中。这些应用领域中的许多领域都可以受益于将碳纳米管结合到膜材料中。最近的研究表明，碳纳米管具有超快的水蒸气通过其内部体积扩散的能力，以及促进流过其间隙空间的气流除湿的能力。