Scientists create reusable molecular fabric to separate industrial chemicals

New filter solves separation challenge

Separating toxic chemicals from industrial processes like nylon manufacturing requires significant energy and effort. A team of scientists developed a solution using a molecularly woven fabric to filter mixtures. Jonathan Sessler, a UT chemist, stated that huge amounts of energy currently go into chemical separation. The researchers address this efficiency challenge by applying the ancient principle of weaving at a molecular level.

Fabric uses chirality and stacking

Chemical plants traditionally use distillation to separate cyclohexane from benzene based on different boiling points. However, these two chemicals have nearly identical boiling points and tend to vaporize together during the process. This novel textile is made up of four molecular networks weaving together in an interlocking design, positioned both above and below one another. Layers are stacked alternating between regular orientation and mirror-image orientation to create a springy thick filter.

Material absorbs most benzene

This self-assembling fabric allows molecular networks to arrange and interconnect on their own based on underlying chemistry. After pouring a benzene-containing mixture onto the material, scientists can heat it to vaporize the benzene. The reusable fabric then absorbs 97.9 percent of the benzene before being used again. This method avoids the expensive additives typically required for traditional distillation-based separations.