It is proposed that the layering of large ions at the wall/liquid interface of nanofluidic channels can be used to achieve high efficiency (possibly >50%) in the conversion of hydrostatic energy into electrical power. Large ions tend to produce peaks and troughs in their concentration profiles at charged walls, producing high concentrations far from the walls where the ions' pressure-driven velocity is high. This increases the streaming conductance and the energy conversion efficiency.
© 2012 American Chemical Society