Understanding Enhanced Isotope Sieving Through Defects in 2D Membranes

Dr. Piran R. Kidambi,  Assistant Professor

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee, 37212

Atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) materials present new opportunities for advancing separation of isotopes and light elements with minor atomic number (Z) differences. The pristine lattice of graphene and h-BN is impermeable to Helium atoms but allows for permeation of sub-atomic species i.e. electrons, protons and its isotopes. The introduction of precise sub-nanometer defects/pores into the 2D lattice can significantly enhance transport of sub-atomic species and enable practical separations of interest to national security, energy generation and conversion, as well as environmental remediation/de-contamination efforts. A detailed fundamental understanding of the transport characteristics of isotopes and light elements with minor Z differences through sub-nanometer defects/pores in 2D materials is hence imperative but remains elusive. The proposed research aims to develop new experimental approaches to study and elucidate transport characteristics of isotopes and light elements with minor Z differences through sub-nanometer pores in the 2D lattice. Outcomes of the proposed research are anticipated to include i) fundamental insights into transport characteristics of isotopes and light elements with minor Z differences, ii) novel approaches to increase isotope selectivity of 2D membranes, and iii) new knowledge on the development of atomically thin membranes for isotope separations, furthering the Department of Energy Isotope Program mission to “conduct R&D on new and improved isotope production and processing technologies that can make available isotopes for essential research and applications.”