Graphene and its derivatives are of particular interest as emerging platforms for molecular separation. However, there are abundant 2D nanomaterials other than graphene that have unique and intriguing structural features that can be exploited for membrane-based separation that have not been extensively studied. Furthermore, from a materials synthesis standpoint, realizing high yield and scalable methods for massive production of 2D nanomaterials is critical. Liquid-based exfoliation to produce 2D nanosheets from layered bulk crystals has recently drawn considerable attention. Such single-layered or few-layered 2D nanosheets can be formed into laminate membranes with exceptional molecular-sieving properties or more preferably utilized as high aspect ratio nanofillers to improve the separation performance of polymer membranes. Most remarkably, 2D nanosheets can mitigate the well-known plasticization phenomenon in polymer membranes by interacting strongly with the polymer chains. There is no doubt that these emerging 2D nanomaterials will facilitate fabrication of next-generation membranes.

石墨烯及其衍生物作为新兴的分子分离平台特别受关注。但是，除了石墨烯以外，还有许多具有独特且引人入胜的结构特征的二维纳米材料，可用于基于膜的分离，但尚未得到广泛研究。此外，从材料合成的角度出发，实现大规模生产2D纳米材料的高产量和可扩展方法至关重要。从分层的块状晶体生产二维纳米片的基于液体的剥落最近引起了相当大的关注。可以将这种单层或很少层的2D纳米片形成具有优异分子筛分性能的层压膜，或更优选地用作高长径比的纳米填料以改善聚合物膜的分离性能。最明显的是 2D纳米片可通过与聚合物链强烈相互作用来减轻聚合物膜中众所周知的增塑现象。毫无疑问，这些新兴的2D纳米材料将有助于下一代膜的制造。