Improved Ion Transport in Hydrogel-Based Nanofluidics for Osmotic Energy Conversion

ACS Cent Sci. 2020 Nov 25;6(11):2097-2104. doi: 10.1021/acscentsci.0c01054. Epub 2020 Oct 13.

Abstract

In nature, ultrafast signal transfer based on ion transport, which is the foundation of biological processes, commonly works in a hydrogel-water mixed mechanism. Inspired by organisms' hydrogel-based system, we introduce hydrogel into nanofluidics to prepare a hydrogel hybrid membrane. The introduction of a space charged hydrogel improves the ion selectivity evidently. Also, a power generator based on the hydrogel hybrid membrane shows an excellent energy conversion property; a maximum power density up to 11.72 W/m2 is achieved at a 500-fold salinity gradient. Furthermore, the membrane shows excellent mechanical properties. These values are achievable, which indicates our membrane's huge potential applications in osmotic energy conversion.