Tunable rectifications in nanofluidic diodes by ion selectivity of charged polystyrene opals for osmotic energy conversion

Abstract

An ion-selective layer based on self-assembled polystyrene opals is integrated with an alumina nanoporous membrane to form nanofluidic diodes.

Space charge enhanced ion transport in heterogeneous polyelectrolyte/alumina nanochannel membranes for high-performance osmotic energy conversion

“…[18][19][20] Thus, several heterogeneous membranes with ICR property (or called ionic diode membranes) have been reported for energy harvesting from salinity gradients. [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] Although many reports have shown improved ion transport and/or selectivity stemming from the ionic-diode effect, the improvement of output power was still limited because of the increased membrane resistance from heterogeneous pore materials. 23,24 Reducing the membrane thickness can assist in maximizing the power output, 30,31 but the fabrication of ultrathin heterogeneous membranes requires to be carried out via complicated and multi-step processes, which hampers their future industrial applications.…”

Sandwich “Ion Pool”-Structured Power Gating for Salinity Gradient Generation Devices

“…18−25 Also, we all know that the output power density was mainly determined by ion selectivity and ion flux of the diode membrane. 26,27 On the condition that the ion flux of the diode membranes was similar, the power density mainly depended on ion selectivity. Thus, the assembled nanofluidic system with high ion selectivity would achieve high power density.…”

“…Thus, it is practicable to design a ZIF-8-AAO–WO 3 ion pool-structured nanofluidic device with excellent ion selectivity. The salinity gradient energy has been extensively regarded as a promising “blue” energy due to its large reserves and easy attainability. − Also, we all know that the output power density was mainly determined by ion selectivity and ion flux of the diode membrane. , On the condition that the ion flux of the diode membranes was similar, the power density mainly depended on ion selectivity. Thus, the assembled nanofluidic system with high ion selectivity would achieve high power density.…”

Engineering a Smart Nanofluidic Sensor for High-Performance Peroxynitrite Sensing through a Spirocyclic Ring Open/Close Reaction Strategy

“…Unfortunately, as an in vitro environment can readily undermine the unstable lipid bilayer structure of biological nanochannels, it may significantly restrict their realistic utilization in vitro. − To circumvent these problems, artificial nanochannels with adjustable size/shape/wettability and omnipotent surface modification have been developed. − Up to now, extensive studies have demonstrated that nanochannel systems with modified ligands can provide highly sensitive and accurate sensing of ion/small molecules/biological molecules. − Covalent and noncovalent chemical principles, including redox reactions, host–guest chemistry, and hydrogen bonds, have been widely employed to fabricate several types of nanosensors. − Although the reversible noncovalent approaches enable nanosensor recycling, yet loses the specificity and accuracy on detection. On the other hand, the nanosensor lacks of recyclable ability owing to the irreversible covalent interaction between the nanosensor and analytes. − Thereby, these significant challenges promoted the evolvement of new tactics to engineer novel nanosensors, maintaining a balance between the high specificity/selectivity and recyclable ability.…”