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Ma X, Neek-Amal M, Sun C. Advances in Two-Dimensional Ion-Selective Membranes: Bridging Nanoscale Insights to Industrial-Scale Salinity Gradient Energy Harvesting. ACS NANO 2024; 18:12610-12638. [PMID: 38733357 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c11646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Salinity gradient energy, often referred to as the Gibbs free energy difference between saltwater and freshwater, is recognized as "blue energy" due to its inherent cleanliness, renewability, and continuous availability. Reverse electrodialysis (RED), relying on ion-selective membranes, stands as one of the most prevalent and promising methods for harnessing salinity gradient energy to generate electricity. Nevertheless, conventional RED membranes face challenges such as insufficient ion selectivity and transport rates and the difficulty of achieving the minimum commercial energy density threshold of 5 W/m2. In contrast, two-dimensional nanostructured materials, featuring nanoscale channels and abundant functional groups, offer a breakthrough by facilitating rapid ion transport and heightened selectivity. This comprehensive review delves into the mechanisms of osmotic power generation within a single nanopore and nanochannel, exploring optimal nanopore dimensions and nanochannel lengths. We subsequently examine the current landscape of power generation using two-dimensional nanostructured materials in laboratory-scale settings across various test areas. Furthermore, we address the notable decline in power density observed as test areas expand and propose essential criteria for the industrialization of two-dimensional ion-selective membranes. The review concludes with a forward-looking perspective, outlining future research directions, including scalable membrane fabrication, enhanced environmental adaptability, and integration into multiple industries. This review aims to bridge the gap between previous laboratory-scale investigations of two-dimensional ion-selective membranes in salinity gradient energy conversion and their potential large-scale industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Mehdi Neek-Amal
- Department of Physics, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran 1678815811, Iran
- Departement Fysica, Universiteit Antwerpen, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Chengzhen Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China
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Córdoba A, Montes de Oca JM, Darling SB, de Pablo JJ. Influence of the Dielectric Constant on the Ionic Current Rectification of Bipolar Nanopores. ACS NANO 2024; 18:12569-12579. [PMID: 38696274 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c03546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
In this paper, we investigate how the dielectric constant, ϵ, of an electrolyte solvent influences the current rectification characteristics of bipolar nanopores. It is well recognized that bipolar nanopores with two oppositely charged regions rectify current when exposed to an alternating electric potential difference. Here, we consider dilute electrolytes with NaCl only and with a mixture of NaCl and charged nanoparticles. These systems are studied using two levels of description, all-atom explicit water molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and coarse-grained implicit solvent MD simulations. The charge density and electric potential profiles and current-voltage relationship predicted by the implicit solvent simulations with ϵ = 11.3 show good agreement with the predictions from the explicit water simulations. Under nonequilibrium conditions, the predictions of the implicit solvent simulations with a dielectric constant closer to the one of bulk water are significantly different from the predictions obtained with the explicit water model. These findings are closely aligned with experimental data on the dielectric constant of water when confined to nanometric spaces, which suggests that ϵ decreases significantly compared to its value in the bulk. Moreover, the largest electric current rectification is observed in systems containing nanoparticles when ϵ = 78.8. Using enhanced sampling, we have shown that this larger rectification arises from the presence of a significantly deeper minimum in the free energy of the system with a larger ϵ, and when a negative voltage bias is applied. Since implicit solvent models and mean-field continuum theories are often used to design Janus membranes based on bipolar nanopores, this work highlights the importance of properly accounting for the effects of confinement on the dielectric constant of the electrolyte solvent. The results presented here indicate that the dielectric constant in implicit solvent simulations may be used as an adjustable parameter to approximately account for the effects of nanometric confinement on aqueous electrolyte solvents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Córdoba
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Advanced Materials for Energy-Water Systems (AMEWS) Energy Frontier Research Center, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Joan Manuel Montes de Oca
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Advanced Materials for Energy-Water Systems (AMEWS) Energy Frontier Research Center, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Seth B Darling
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Advanced Materials for Energy-Water Systems (AMEWS) Energy Frontier Research Center, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Juan J de Pablo
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
- Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
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Kozmai AE, Mareev SA, Butylskii DY, Ruleva VD, Pismenskaya ND, Nikonenko VV. Low-frequency impedance of ion-exchange membrane with electrically heterogeneous surface. Electrochim Acta 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2023.142285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
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Gorobchenko AD, Skolotneva ED, Mareev SA. Influence of Electrodialyzer Channel Parameters on Chronopotentiometric Transition Time. MEMBRANES AND MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s2517751622030052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Butylskii D, Skolotneva E, Mareev S, Gorobchenko A, Urtenov M, Nikonenko V. Examination of the equations for calculation of chronopotentiometric transition time in membrane systems. Electrochim Acta 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2020.136595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Green Y. Approximate time-dependent current-voltage relations for currents exceeding the diffusion limit. Phys Rev E 2020; 101:043113. [PMID: 32422742 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.101.043113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The time-dependent behavior of one-dimensional ion transport into a permselective medium is theoretically modeled in this work for currents exceeding the diffusion limit. Leveraging the findings of Yariv [E. Yariv, Phys. Rev. E 80, 051201 (2009)10.1103/PhysRevE.80.051201], we derive three separate expressions for the potential drop for short, intermediate, and long times. We show that the potential drop correlates to the time evolution of the space-charge layer adjacent to the permselective interface. Our approximate models show remarkable correspondence to numerical simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoav Green
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
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The nature of two transition times on chronopotentiograms of heterogeneous ion exchange membranes: 2D modelling. J Memb Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2018.12.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Liu W, Ren Y, Chen F, Song J, Tao Y, Du K, Wu Q. A microscopic physical description of electrothermal‐induced flow for control of ion current transport in microfluidics interfacing nanofluidics. Electrophoresis 2019; 40:2683-2698. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201900105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Weiyu Liu
- School of Electronics and Control EngineeringSchool of HighwayChang'an University Xi'an Shaanxi P. R. China
| | - Yukun Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and SystemHarbin Institute of Technology Harbin Heilongjiang P. R. China
- The State Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics (LNM)Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Mechanics Beijing P. R. China
| | - Feng Chen
- School of Electronics and Control EngineeringSchool of HighwayChang'an University Xi'an Shaanxi P. R. China
| | - Jingni Song
- School of Electronics and Control EngineeringSchool of HighwayChang'an University Xi'an Shaanxi P. R. China
| | - Ye Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and SystemHarbin Institute of Technology Harbin Heilongjiang P. R. China
| | - Kai Du
- School of Electronics and Control EngineeringSchool of HighwayChang'an University Xi'an Shaanxi P. R. China
| | - Qisheng Wu
- School of Electronics and Control EngineeringSchool of HighwayChang'an University Xi'an Shaanxi P. R. China
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Modelling of Ion Transport in Electromembrane Systems: Impacts of Membrane Bulk and Surface Heterogeneity. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/app9010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Artificial charged membranes, similar to the biological membranes, are self-assembled nanostructured materials constructed from macromolecules. The mutual interactions of parts of macromolecules leads to phase separation and appearance of microheterogeneities within the membrane bulk. On the other hand, these interactions also cause spontaneous microheterogeneity on the membrane surface, to which macroheterogeneous structures can be added at the stage of membrane fabrication. Membrane bulk and surface heterogeneity affect essentially the properties and membrane performance in the applications in the field of separation (water desalination, salt concentration, food processing and other), energy production (fuel cells, reverse electrodialysis), chlorine-alkaline electrolysis, medicine and other. We review the models describing ion transport in ion-exchange membranes and electromembrane systems with an emphasis on the role of micro- and macroheterogeneities in and on the membranes. Irreversible thermodynamics approach, “solution-diffusion” and “pore-flow” models, the multiphase models built within the effective-medium approach are examined as the tools for describing ion transport in the membranes. 2D and 3D models involving or not convective transport in electrodialysis cells are presented and analysed. Some examples are given when specially designed surface heterogeneity on the membrane surface results in enhancement of ion transport in intensive current electrodialysis.
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Leibowitz N, Schiffbauer J, Park S, Yossifon G. Transient response of nonideal ion-selective microchannel-nanochannel devices. Phys Rev E 2018; 97:043104. [PMID: 29758647 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.97.043104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We report evidence of variation in ion selectivity of a fabricated microchannel-nanochannel device resulting in the appearance of a distinct local maximum in the overlimiting chronopotentiometric response. In this system consisting of shallow microchannels joined by a nanochannel, viscous shear at the microchannel walls suppresses the electro-osmotic instability and prevents any associated contribution to the nonmonotonic response. Thus, this response is primarily electrodiffusive. Numerical simulations indicate that concentration polarization develops not only within the microchannel but also within the nanochannel itself, with a local voltage maximum in the chronopotentiometric response correlated with interfacial depletion and having the classic i^{-2} Sands time dependence. Furthermore, the occurrence of the local maxima is correlated with the change in selectivity due to internal concentration polarization. Understanding the transient nonideal permselective response is essential for obtaining fundamental insight and for optimizing efficient operation of practical fabricated nanofluidic and membrane devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neta Leibowitz
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Micro- and Nanofluidics Laboratory, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City 32000, Israel
| | - Jarrod Schiffbauer
- Physical and Environmental Sciences, Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, Colorado 81501, USA
| | - Sinwook Park
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Micro- and Nanofluidics Laboratory, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City 32000, Israel
| | - Gilad Yossifon
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Micro- and Nanofluidics Laboratory, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City 32000, Israel
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Nikonenko VV, Mareev SA, Pis’menskaya ND, Uzdenova AM, Kovalenko AV, Urtenov MK, Pourcelly G. Effect of electroconvection and its use in intensifying the mass transfer in electrodialysis (Review). RUSS J ELECTROCHEM+ 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s1023193517090099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Green Y, Eshel R, Park S, Yossifon G. Interplay between Nanochannel and Microchannel Resistances. NANO LETTERS 2016; 16:2744-2748. [PMID: 26959345 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b00429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Current nanochannel system paradigm commonly neglects the role of the interfacing microchannels and assumes that the ohmic electrical response of a microchannel-nanochannel system is solely determined by the geometric properties of the nanochannel. In this work, we demonstrate that the overall response is determined by the interplay between the nanochannel resistance and various microchannel attributed resistances. Our experiments confirm a recent theoretical prediction that in contrast to what was previously assumed at very low concentrations the role of the interfacing microchannels on the overall resistance becomes increasingly important. We argue that the current nanochannel-dominated conductance paradigm can be replaced with a more correct and intuitive microchannel-nanochannel-resistance-model-based paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoav Green
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Micro- and Nanofluidics Laboratory, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology , Technion City 32000, Israel
| | - Ran Eshel
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Micro- and Nanofluidics Laboratory, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology , Technion City 32000, Israel
| | - Sinwook Park
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Micro- and Nanofluidics Laboratory, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology , Technion City 32000, Israel
| | - Gilad Yossifon
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Micro- and Nanofluidics Laboratory, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology , Technion City 32000, Israel
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Green Y, Edri Y, Yossifon G. Asymmetry-induced electric current rectification in permselective systems. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2015; 92:033018. [PMID: 26465567 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.92.033018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
For a symmetric ion permselective system, in terms of geometry and bulk concentrations, the system response is also symmetric under opposite electric field polarity. In this work we derive an analytical solution for the concentration distribution, electric potential, and current-voltage response for a four-layered system comprised of two microchambers connected by two permselective regions of varying properties. It is shown that any additional asymmetry in the system, in terms of the geometry, bulk concentration, or surface charge property of the permselective regions, results in current rectification. Our work is divided into two parts: when both permselective regions have the same surface charge sign and the case of opposite signs. For the same sign case we are able to show that the system behaves as a dialytic battery while accounting for field-focusing effects. For the case of opposite signs (i.e., bipolar membrane), our system exhibits the behavior of a bipolar diode where the magnitude of the rectification can be of order 10^{2}-10^{3}.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoav Green
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Micro- and Nanofluidics Laboratory, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City 32000, Israel
| | - Yaron Edri
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Micro- and Nanofluidics Laboratory, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City 32000, Israel
| | - Gilad Yossifon
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Micro- and Nanofluidics Laboratory, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City 32000, Israel
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