Design of ultrathin hybrid membranes with improved retention efficiency of molecular dyes

) higher than that of common polymeric membranes, and a very efficient size selectivity during filtration of water contaminated by various types of dyes. The membranes had high retention efficiency (82-99%) for dyes with hydrated radii greater than ≈0.5 nm due to the favorable combination of electrostatic/hydrophobic interactions with the hybrid matrices and steric entrapment controlled by the pore size. This was confirmed by theoretical calculations that revealed both the structure and dynamic behavior of the dyes in the complex environment of the membranes.