In　this　work,　we　investigate　how　nanoporous　hexagonal　boron　nitride　(hBN)　membrane　can　achieve　efficient　water/ion　separation　using　molecular　dynamics　simulations.　In　particular,　it　is　interesting　to　figure　out　the　transport　mechanisms　through　slit-like　orifices　with　different　edge　patterns,　namely　armchair,　B-edged,　and　N-edged.　It　is　observed　that　the　water　and　ion　conduction　rates　are　sensitive　to　the　edge　patterns,　which　is　attributed　to　the　intriguing　electrostatic　interactions　between　hBN　and　solution　particles.　The　armchair　nanoslits　barely　discriminate　ion　from　water　molecules,　whereas　the　nanoslits　edged　with　zigzag　patterns　collaboratively　impede　ion　permeation　and　allow　fast　water　conduction.　Our　simulations　not　only　support　that　hBN　is　a　promising　candidate　for　the　development　of　permeable　membrane　for　water　desalination　but　also　highlight　the　importance　of　nanoslit　edge　pattern.　Together,　this　work　will　be　helpful　for　the　design　of　permeable　membrane　in　the　future.　©　2020　Elsevier　B.V.