Functionalized Single-atom Thickness Boron Nitride Membrane for Separation of Arsenite Ion from Water: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study

Abstract

In this research, the performance of functionalized boron nitride nanosheet (BNNS) as a nanostructure membrane with single-atom thickness for the separation of arsenite ions from aqueous solution was examined by molecular dynamics simulation method. The simulated system included a functionalized BNNS placed in an ionic solution containing sodium arsenite, while the external pressures were applied to the system. For the high-water permeability and full ions rejection, the pore of BNNS was functionalized by passivizing pore edge atoms with F and H atoms. Then hydrostatic pressures in the range of 5-100 MPa was applied to the system. During the molecular dynamics simulations, water molecules and arsenite ions were monitored, and some analyses such as water flux, the density profile of water and ion, hydrogen bonds, and radial distribution function were obtained. Results showed that functionalized BNNS was able to conduct water molecules with high permeability through its pore, whereas ions were not able to pass through the pore.