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Tang J, Wang Y, Yang H, Zhang Q, Wang C, Li L, Zheng Z, Jin Y, Wang H, Gu Y, Zuo T. All-natural 2D nanofluidics as highly-efficient osmotic energy generators. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3649. [PMID: 38684671 PMCID: PMC11058229 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47915-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Two-dimensional nanofluidics based on naturally abundant clay are good candidates for harvesting osmotic energy between the sea and river from the perspective of commercialization and environmental sustainability. However, clay-based nanofluidics outputting long-term considerable osmotic power remains extremely challenging to achieve due to the lack of surface charge and mechanical strength. Here, a two-dimensional all-natural nanofluidic (2D-NNF) is developed as a robust and highly efficient osmotic energy generator based on an interlocking configuration of stacked montmorillonite nanosheets (from natural clay) and their intercalated cellulose nanofibers (from natural wood). The generated nano-confined interlamellar channels with abundant surface and space negative charges facilitate selective and fast hopping transport of cations in the 2D-NNF. This contributes to an osmotic power output of ~8.61 W m-2 by mixing artificial seawater and river water, higher than other reported state-of-the-art 2D nanofluidics. According to detailed life cycle assessments (LCA), the 2D-NNF demonstrates great advantages in resource consumption (1/14), greenhouse gas emissions (1/9), and production costs (1/13) compared with the mainstream 2D nanofluidics, promising good sustainability for large-scale and highly-efficient osmotic power generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiadong Tang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, PR China
| | - Yun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, PR China
| | - Hongyang Yang
- Institute of Circular Economy, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, PR China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, PR China.
| | - Ce Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, PR China
| | - Leyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, PR China
| | - Zilong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, PR China.
| | - Yuhong Jin
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, PR China
| | - Hao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, PR China
| | - Yifan Gu
- Institute of Circular Economy, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, PR China.
| | - Tieyong Zuo
- Institute of Circular Economy, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, PR China
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Mahmoud KA, Binmujlli M, Sallam FH, Sayyed MI, Marashdeh M, Abdulkarim M. Microstructure investigation, Electrical properties, and γ-rays' protection capacity for ZnO doped clay ceramic. Appl Radiat Isot 2024; 206:111195. [PMID: 38280278 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2024.111195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
A series of ceramic samples fabricated based on ZnO doped different concentrations of natural clay according to the relation (1-x) ZnO - (x) clay; 5 wt% ≤ x ≤ 20 wt%. The samples were pressed and sintered at 1200 °C. The experimental techniques were used to characterize and measure the chemical composition, density, and current-voltage measurements for the fabricated ceramics samples. The measurements depict an increase in the I-V nonlinearity with raising the clay concentration, where the increase in clay by up to 20 wt% shifts breakdown voltage to a higher value of up to 390 V/cm and decreases leakage current to 55 mA/cm2. The examinations for the gamma-ray shielding capacity for the fabricated composites (utilizing Monte Carlo simulation) demonstrate enrichment of clay concentration between 5 wt% and 20 wt% reduced the linear attenuation coefficient for the fabricated ceramics by 23.15% and 8.66% at γ photon energy of 0.059 MeV and 1.252 MeV, respectively. The half-value thickness and lead's equivalent thickness increased along with a drop in the linear attenuation coefficient, but the radiation protection effectiveness of the fabricated ceramics increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Mahmoud
- Nuclear Materials Authority, Department of Geochemical Exploration, Cairo, Egypt; Ural Federal University, 19 Mira St, 620002, Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Mazen Binmujlli
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), P.O. Box 90950, Riyadh, 11623, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fawzy H Sallam
- Nuclear Materials Authority, Department of Geochemical Exploration, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - M I Sayyed
- Renewable Energy and Environmental Technology Center, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 47913, Saudi Arabia; Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Isra University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mohammad Marashdeh
- Department of Physics, College of Sciences, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), P.O. Box 90950, Riyadh, 11623, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muthanna Abdulkarim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Alfaisal University, P.O. Box 50927, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
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Ishida Y. Atomic-Scale Imaging of Clay Mineral Nanosheets and Their Supramolecular Complexes through Electron Microscopy: A Supramolecular Chemist's Perspective. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:6065-6076. [PMID: 38484331 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Recent advancements in electron microscopy techniques have revolutionized the ability to directly visualize and understand the intricate world of supramolecular chemistry. This paper provides a concise overview of a study delving into the atomic-scale imaging of monolayer clay mineral nanosheets and their associated supramolecular complexes. The imaging is conducted by harnessing the power of aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Clay mineral nanosheets, with their anionic charge and ultrathin thickness (of 1 nm), serve as a stable Coulombic host material for cationic guest molecules through electrostatic interactions, facilitating exceptional stability and control during observation. By incorporation of heavy-metal atom markers coordinated within the target molecules, high-angle annular dark field STEM enables a clear visualization of these supramolecular complexes. This approach helps to overcome the limitations of graphene-based systems and expands the possibilities of atomic-scale imaging of nonperiodic molecular assemblies formed by weak supramolecular interactions. The fusion of electron microscopy techniques with the principles of supramolecular and material chemistry offers exciting opportunities for studying the structure, behavior, and properties of complex supramolecular systems. It sheds light on the intricate molecular architectures and design principles governing these systems. This study showcases the immense potential of electron microscopy in supramolecular chemistry and invites researchers from various disciplines to explore the transformative possibilities of atomic-scale imaging in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Ishida
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 816-8580 Japan
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Shi L, Gao Y, Ying Z, Xu A, Cheng Y. Charge-induced proton penetration across two-dimensional clay materials. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:6518-6525. [PMID: 35420610 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr00262k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Two-dimensional clay materials possess superior thermal and chemical stability, and the intrinsic tubular channels in their atomic structure provide possible routes for proton penetration. Therefore, they are expected to overcome the lack of materials that can conduct protons between 100-500 °C. In this work, we investigated the detailed proton penetration mechanism across 2D clay nanosheets with different isomorphic substitutions and counterions using extensive ab initio molecular dynamics and metadynamics simulations. We found that the presence of negative surface charges can dramatically reduce the proton penetration energy barrier to about one-third that of the neutral case, making it a feasible choice for the design of next-generation high-temperature proton exchange membranes. By tuning the isomorphic substitutions, the proton conductivity of single-layer clay materials can be altered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center of Nanomaterials for Renewable Energy, School of Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Yushuan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center of Nanomaterials for Renewable Energy, School of Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Zhixuan Ying
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center of Nanomaterials for Renewable Energy, School of Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Ao Xu
- School of Aeronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Yonghong Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center of Nanomaterials for Renewable Energy, School of Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
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Huang Z, Lan T, Dai L, Zhao X, Wang Z, Zhang Z, Li B, Li J, Liu J, Ding B, Geim AK, Cheng HM, Liu B. 2D Functional Minerals as Sustainable Materials for Magneto-Optics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2110464. [PMID: 35084782 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202110464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal devices using organic molecules are nowadays widely used to modulate transmitted light, but this technology still suffers from relatively weak response, high cost, toxicity and environmental concerns, and cannot fully meet the demand of future sustainable society. Here, an alternative approach to color-tunable optical devices, which is based on sustainable inorganic liquid crystals derived from 2D mineral materials abundant in nature, is described. The prototypical 2D mineral of vermiculite is massively produced by a green method, possessing size-to-thickness aspect ratios of >103 , in-plane magnetization of >10 emu g-1 , and an optical bandgap of >3 eV. These characteristics endow 2D vermiculite with sensitive magneto-birefringence response, been several orders of magnitude larger than organic counterparts, as well as capability of broad-spectrum modulation. The finding consequently permits the fabrication of various magnetochromic or mechanochromic devices with low or even zero-energy consumption during operation. This work creates opportunities for the application of sustainable materials in advanced optics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Huang
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Tianshu Lan
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Lixin Dai
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Xueting Zhao
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
| | - Zhongyue Wang
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Zehao Zhang
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Bing Li
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
| | - Jialiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
| | - Jingao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
| | - Baofu Ding
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Technology for Carbon Neutrality, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Andre K Geim
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Hui-Ming Cheng
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Technology for Carbon Neutrality, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
- Advanced Technology Institute, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, U.K
| | - Bilu Liu
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
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