Liquid-phase chemical separations from complex mixtures of hydrocarbon molecules into singular components are large-scale and energy-intensive processes. Membranes with molecular specificity that efficiently separate molecules of similar size and shape can avoid phase changes, thereby reducing the energy intensity of the process. Here, forward osmosis molecular differentiation of hexane isomers through a combination of size- and shape-based separation of molecules is demonstrated. An ultramicroporous carbon membrane produced with 6FDA-polyimides realized the separation of isomers for different shapes of di-branched, mono-branched, and linear molecules. The draw solvents provide the driving force for fractionation of hexane isomers with a sub-0.1 nm size difference at room temperature without liquid-phase pressurization. Such membranes could perform bulk chemical separations of organic liquids to achieve major reductions in the energy intensity of the separation processes.

中文翻译：

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用于亚 0.1 nm 有机液体分离的形状选择性超微孔碳膜

从复杂的烃分子混合物到单一组分的液相化学分离是大规模且耗能的过程。具有分子特异性的膜可以有效分离大小和形状相似的分子，可以避免相变，从而降低过程的能量强度。在这里，通过基于大小和形状的分子分离的组合，证明了正渗透分子分化的己烷异构体。6FDA-聚酰亚胺制备的超微孔碳膜实现了双支化、单支化和线性分子不同形状的异构体分离。在室温下，在没有液相加压的情况下，驱动溶剂为分馏具有亚 0.1 nm 尺寸差异的己烷异构体提供了驱动力。