Directional Fluid Transport in Thin Porous Materials and its Functional Applications

• Published in: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Vol. 13; no. 4; pp. np - n/a
• Main Authors: Zhao, Yan, Wang, Hongxia, Zhou, Hua, Lin, Tong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01-01-2017
• Subjects: directional fluid transport; electrospun nanofiber membranes; fabrics; Fluids; gradient wettability; Janus membranes; Liquids; Media; Porous materials; Porous media; Substrates; Transport; Transporting; fabrics; electrospun nanofiber membranes; Janus membranes; gradient wettability; directional fluid transport
• ISSN: 1613-6810; 1613-6829
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201601070

Directional fluid motion driven by the surface property of solid substrate is highly desirable for manipulating microfluidic liquid and collecting water from humid air. Studies on such liquid motion have been confined to dense material surfaces such as flat panels and single filaments. Recently, directional fluid transport through the thickness of thin porous materials has been reported by several research groups. Their studies not only attract fundamental, experimental and theoretical interest but also open novel application opportunities. This review article summarizes research progress in directional fluid transport across thin porous materials. It focuses on the materials preparation, basic properties associated with directional fluid transport in thin porous media, and their application development. The porous substrates, type of transporting fluids, structure‐property attributes, and possible directional fluid transport mechanism are discussed. A perspective for future development in this field is proposed.
A summary of research progress in directional fluid transport across thin porous materials is presented, with a focus on the materials preparation, basic properties associated with directional fluid transport in thin porous media and their application development. The porous substrates, type of transporting fluids, structure‐property attributes, and possible directional fluid transport mechanism are discussed. A perspective for future development in this field is proposed.