Janus Superiority of Membranes in Chemical Engineering and Beyond
Abstract
Abstract Janus configurations, characterized by their inherent asymmetry, enable directional mass transfer in membrane materials that drive novel and energy‐efficient chemical processes. This Janus superiority spans applications from nanoscale molecular and ionic transport to macro‐scale separation systems with asymmetric spatial architectures. This review provides an analysis of the material foundations including design principles, structure regulation, and scalability challenges underlying Janus membranes. We explore the physics that governs their unique behavior and examine their diverse applications across chemical engineering, including phase transfer, and molecular or ionic transport. Through a multiscale perspective, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of Janus superiority in advancing chemical engineering technologies. Finally, we discuss the hurdles in translating theoretical advances into practical applications and propose promising avenues for future research to harness the full potential of Janus membranes and systems in addressing global challenges related to energy, sustainability, and beyond.
Article Details
Authors (7)
Hao‐Cheng Yang
MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, and Key Lab of Adsorption and Separation Materials and Technologies of Zhejiang Province Department of Polymer Science and Engineering Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310058 China
Yi‐Zhou Chen
MOE Engineering Research Center of Membrane and Water Treatment Technology, and Key Lab of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310058 P.R. China
Kai Li
Xin‐Yu Guo
MOE Engineering Research Center of Membrane and Water Treatment Technology, and Key Lab of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310058 P.R. China
Qi‐Rui Jiang
MOE Engineering Research Center of Membrane and Water Treatment Technology, and Key Lab of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310058 P.R. China
Seth B. Darling
Zhi‐Kang Xu
MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, and Key Lab of Adsorption and Separation Materials and Technologies of Zhejiang Province Department of Polymer Science and Engineering Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310058 China