Adsorptive separation using self-assembly on graphite: from nanoscale to bulk processes. Issue 31 (18th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Daelemans, Brent; Eyley, Samuel; Marquez, Carlos; Lemmens, Vincent; De Vos, Dirk E.; Thielemans, Wim; Dehaen, Wim; De Feyter, Steven
• Is Part Of: Chemical science. Volume 13:Issue 31(2022)
• Page Start: 9035
• Page End: 9046
• Publication Date: 2022-07-18
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/d2sc01354a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-6520

Abstract

Abstract : Insights from high-resolution on-surface characterization techniques are used to improve the control over adsorption and desorption on graphite in bulk adsorptive separation processes. Abstract : Adsorptive separation is a promising lower-energy alternative for traditional industrial separation processes. While carbon-based materials have a long history in adsorptive removal of organic contaminants from solution or gas mixtures, separation using an adsorption/desorption protocol is rarely considered. The main drawbacks are the limited control in bulk adsorption experiments, as often all organic molecules are adsorbed, and lack of desorption methods to retrieve the adsorbed molecules. Using high-resolution on-surface characterization with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), an increased understanding of the on-surface adsorption behavior under different conditions was obtained. The insight obtained from the nanoscale experiments was used to develop a highly selective separation method using adsorption and desorption on graphite, which was tested for the separation of quinonoid zwitterions. These experiments on adsorptive separation using self-assembly on graphite show its potential and demonstrate the advantage of combining surface characterization techniques with bulk experiments to exploit different possible applications of carbon-based materials.