Design of metallic phase WS2/cellulose nanofibers composite membranes for light-boosted osmotic energy conversion

Zongxia Gao; Jiajian Zhang; Mehraj Ahmad; Bo Jiang; Zhe Sun; Sha Wang; Yongcan Jin

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119847

Design of metallic phase WS₂/cellulose nanofibers composite membranes for light-boosted osmotic energy conversion

Carbohydr Polym. 2022 Nov 15:296:119847. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119847. Epub 2022 Jul 9.

Authors

Zongxia Gao¹, Jiajian Zhang¹, Mehraj Ahmad², Bo Jiang³, Zhe Sun¹, Sha Wang⁴, Yongcan Jin⁵

Affiliations

¹ Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
² Department of Food Science and Engineering, College of Light Industry and Food, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; Joint International Research Lab of Lignocellulosic Functional Materials and Provincial Key Lab of Pulp and Paper Sci & Tech, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
³ Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
⁴ Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. Electronic address: swang@njfu.edu.cn.
⁵ Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. Electronic address: jinyongcan@njfu.edu.cn.

PMID: 36087960
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119847

Abstract

Osmotic energy reserves in estuaries, coupled with the ubiquitous solar energy, could be harnessed through emerging nanofluidic membranes to reduce the energy crisis. Herein, we mixed WS₂ with high concentration of metal phase and cellulose nanofiber (CNF) to fabricate composite membranes by vacuum filtration. Incorporated CNF as space charge donors increases the ion flux through the enlarged interlayer spacing in the WS₂/CNF composite membrane. By simulating seawater and river water, the power density of the composite membrane reached to 1.99 W m^-2. Furthermore, due to the photoelectric characteristics of WS₂, the composite membrane exhibits photoresponsivity, which generated a photocurrent of 177 nA through illumination. Taking the advantage of the optoelectronic properties of the composite membrane, the power density under illumination is twice than that of the dark state. Based on the results, this material design strategy can enhance the ion transport in nanofluidic membranes for efficient generation of clean energy.

Keywords: Cation selectivity; Cellulose nanofiber; Metallic phase WS(2); Osmotic energy conversion; Photoelectric characteristic.

MeSH terms

Cellulose
Fresh Water
Membranes, Artificial
Nanofibers*
Osmosis

Substances

Membranes, Artificial
Cellulose