Fabrication of subnanochannels by metal–organic frameworks

Abstract

Biological ion channels have prominent rectification and ion selectivity. Recent work published in <i>Nature Materials</i> by Huanting Wang and colleagues discloses that subnanochannels constructed by metal–organic frameworks (MOFSNC) can achieve monovalent metal ion selectivity and permeability with ultrahigh and pH-tunable features. The mechanism of ultra-high ion selectivity may be that the interaction between ions and carboxyl groups substantially reduces the energy barrier of monovalent cations passing through MOFSNC.