Membranes based on porous hexagonal boron nitride nanorods for ultrafast and effective molecular separation

Effective and ultrafast molecular separation capable of exclusively transporting target molecules is highly desirable for the sustainable development of the ecosystem. Ensuring both high permeability and selective rejection is particularly challenging, especially, for long-term service in a harsh environment. Herein, we demonstrate the simultaneously functionalized hexagonal boron nitride nanorods (BNNDs) with ultrahigh porosity (specific surface area 1437 m2 g−1) that can be assembled into supported membranes for high-performance molecular separation. The BNNDs membranes with controllable thicknesses exhibit abundant nanochannel network and superhydrophilic that render ultrafast water permeance (326 L m−2 h−1) without pressure drive and efficiently selective molecular screening in both aqueous and organic solutions. In addition, the membranes possess the flexibility and high tolerance to acidic, alkaline media for over one month. Such fast permeability and excellent separation performance offer these porous BNNDs membranes promising opportunities for practical molecular separation and purification applications.