Single-Walled Zeolitic Nanotubes Reject Diffusive Permeation of Aqueous NaCl

This work reports the first-ever
simulations of newly synthesized
single-walled zeolitic nanotubes (SWZNTs) in aqueous NaCl solution.
The interfacial behavior of water is characterized at both the external
and internal surfaces of the SWZNT and the dynamics of water transport
is quantified through the zeolitic pores. Additionally, it is confirmed
that these SWZNTs reject the spontaneous transport of solvated Na+ cations and Cl– anions in both radial directions:
core → bulk and bulk → core. The study also shows that
ion transport may be possible in the presence of a driving force such
as an external electric field. This work demonstrates that these novel
materials could find use in desalination membranes and as advanced
molecular sieves for ion separation.