Unipolar Ionic Diode Nanofluidic Membranes Enabled by Stepped Mesochannels for Enhanced Salinity Gradient Energy Harvesting

• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c06949
• Publication Date: 2024-07-09T01:30:13Z
• Authors: Yi Yang; Shan Zhou; Zirui Lv; Chin-Te Hung; Zaiwang Zhao; Tiancong Zhao; Dongliang Chao; Biao Kong; Dongyuan Zhao
• Keywords: Nanofluidics

Developing ionic diode membranes featuring asymmetric structures is in high demand for salinity gradient energy harvesting. These offer benefits mitigating ion concentration polarization, thereby promoting permeability. However, most reported works focus on the role of heterogeneous charge-based bipolar polarization suppression, with comparatively less attention given to maintaining selectivity. Herein, unipolar nanofluidic mesoporous silica stepped mesochannels were developed via a micellar sequential oriented interfacial self-assembly strategy as harvester. Due and structure (both sides carry negative charge), exhibit strong rectification ratio ∼15.91 facilitate unidirectional transport while excellent cation selectivity (cation transfer number ∼0.85). Besides, vertically aligned significantly reduce resistance, generating flux. Consequently, demonstrate power output 5.88 W/m