Interfacial Mesochannels as Cation Pump for Enhanced Osmotic Energy Harvesting
Abstract
AbstractMembranes integrating 1D materials are rapidly emerging as highly promising platforms for osmotic energy harvesting. However, their power output is often constrained by insufficient ion selectivity. Herein, we demonstrate a cation pumping strategy by designing mesoporous silica coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes/aramid nanofiber (MCNTs@mSiO2/ANF) composite membranes as osmotic power generators. Cations can be initially enriched in the negatively charged and small‐pore‐sized (∼ 3 nm) interfacial mesopore channels, establishing a strong cation concentration gradient toward the interfiber nanochannels. The gradient continuously drives cations into the interfiber pores, facilitating charge separation, and improving ion selectivity. Additionally, the hydrophilic nature of the mesoporous silica shells promotes ion transport and contributes to high ion flux. Consequently, the fabricated MCNTs@mSiO2/ANF composite nanochannel membranes can deliver a notable power density of 8.24 W m−2 with an excellent ion selectivity of 0.91 under a 50‐fold NaCl salinity gradient. Importantly, the membranes demonstrate long‐term stability for osmotic energy capturing. When placed between natural seawater and river water, the composite membranes yield an impressive power density of 9.93 W m−2, surpassing that of the state‐of‐the‐art 1D material‐based membranes. This work paves the way for the practical applications of nanofiber‐based membranes in sustainable osmotic energy conversion.
Article Details
Authors (13)
Yi Yang
Zirui Lv
College of Chemistry and Materials, Department of Chemistry, Department of Macromolecular Science, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (2011-ChEM)
Wanhai Zhou
Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Aqueous Battery Center, College of Smart Materials and Future Energy
Yiyue Zhao
Laboratory of Advanced Materials Department of Chemistry Aqueous Battery Center Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers <i>i</i>ChEM Shanghai Wusong Laboratory of Materials Science Faculty of Chemistry and Materials Fudan University Shanghai 200433 P.R. China
Chaochao Yang
Laboratory of Advanced Materials Department of Chemistry Aqueous Battery Center Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers <i>i</i>ChEM Shanghai Wusong Laboratory of Materials Science Faculty of Chemistry and Materials Fudan University Shanghai 200433 P.R. China
Yan Ai
Laboratory of Advanced Materials Department of Chemistry Aqueous Battery Center Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers <i>i</i>ChEM Shanghai Wusong Laboratory of Materials Science Faculty of Chemistry and Materials Fudan University Shanghai 200433 P.R. China
Lipeng Wang
College of Chemistry and Materials, Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Advanced Materials
Zhihao Sun
Rice Research Institute, Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Improvement, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University
Zaiwang Zhao
College of Energy Materials and Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Peihua Yang
The Institute of Technological Sciences, School of Integrated Circuits, MOE Key Laboratory of Hydrodynamic Transients Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 China
Wei Li
Dongliang Chao
Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Aqueous Battery Center, College of Smart Materials and Future Energy
Dongyuan Zhao
Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, Fudan University, 220 Handan, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China