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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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Fan K, Zhou S, Xie L, Jia S, Zhao L, Liu X, Liang K, Jiang L, Kong B. Interfacial Assembly of 2D Graphene-Derived Ion Channels for Water-Based Green Energy Conversion. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2307849. [PMID: 37873917 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
The utilization of sustained and green energy is believed to alleviate increasing menace of global environmental concerns and energy dilemma. Interfacial assembly of 2D graphene-derived ion channels (2D-GDICs) with tunable ion/fluid transport behavior enables efficient harvesting of renewable green energy from ubiquitous water, especially for osmotic energy harvesting. In this review, various interfacial assembly strategies for fabricating diverse 2D-GDICs are summarized and their ion transport properties are discussed. This review analyzes how particular structure and charge density/distribution of 2D-GDIC can be modulated to minimize internal resistance of ion/fluid transport and enhance energy conversion efficiency, and highlights stimuli-responsive functions and stability of 2D-GDIC and further examines the possibility of integrating 2D-GDIC with other energy conversion systems. Notably, the presented preparation and applications of 2D-GDIC also inspire and guide other 2D materials to fabricate sophisticated ion channels for targeted applications. Finally, potential challenges in this field is analyzed and a prospect to future developments toward high-performance or large-scale real-word applications is offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Fan
- College of Electrical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
| | - Shan Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Key Lab of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, P. R. China
| | - Lei Xie
- Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Key Lab of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, P. R. China
| | - Shenli Jia
- College of Electrical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
| | - Lihua Zhao
- College of Electrical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
| | - Xiangyang Liu
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Material and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
| | - Kang Liang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Lei Jiang
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Biao Kong
- Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Key Lab of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, P. R. China
- Shandong Research Institute, Fudan University, Shandong, 250103, China
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Du X, Liu J, Han Z, Chen J, Wang L, Zhang X, Guo Y, Liu X, Zhou J, Jia P. Efficient photo-driven ion pump through slightly reduced vertical graphene oxide membranes. Dalton Trans 2023; 53:215-222. [PMID: 38032350 DOI: 10.1039/d3dt02303f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Solar energy can be harvested using biological light-driven ion pumps for the sustainability of life. It remains a significant challenge to develop high-performance artificial light-driven ion pumps for solar energy harvesting in all solid-state materials. Here, we exploit the benefits of short channel lengths and efficient light absorption to demonstrate efficient photo-driven ion transport in slightly reduced vertical graphene oxide membranes (GOMs). Remarkably, this photo-driven ion pump exhibits excellent ability, countering a 10-fold electrolyte concentration gradient. We propose a plausible mechanism where light illumination enhances the electric potential of ion channels on GOMs triggered by the separation of photoexcited charge carriers between the sp2 and sp3 carbon clusters. This results in the establishment of an electric potential difference across the effective ion channels composed of sp3 carbon clusters, thus driving the directional transport of cations from the illuminated side to the non-illuminated side. The promising results of this study provide new possibilities for the application of vertical 2D nanofluidic membranes in areas such as artificial photosynthesis, light harvesting, and water treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Du
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nanomaterials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, P. R. China.
| | - Junchao Liu
- School of Sciences, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, P. R. China
| | - Zhitong Han
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nanomaterials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, P. R. China.
| | - Jiansheng Chen
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nanomaterials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, P. R. China.
| | - Lina Wang
- Testing and Analysis Center, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, P. R. China
| | - Xinyi Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nanomaterials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, P. R. China.
| | - Yue Guo
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nanomaterials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, P. R. China.
| | - Xuran Liu
- College of Material Engineering, North China Institute of Aerospace Engineering, Langfang 065000, P. R. China
| | - Jinming Zhou
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nanomaterials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, P. R. China.
| | - Pan Jia
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nanomaterials, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, P. R. China.
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Li D, Ou T, Fu Q, Li DS, Liu Z, Sun Y. A Novel Thin Film Composite Membrane for Osmotic Energy Generation. Ind Eng Chem Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.3c00307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- School of Materials Science and Technology, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, P.R. China
| | - TaiKang Ou
- School of Materials Science and Technology, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Fu
- School of Materials Science and Technology, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, P.R. China
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Dian-sen Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Beijing 100191, P.R. China
| | - Zemin Liu
- School of Materials Science and Technology, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, P.R. China
| | - Youyi Sun
- School of Materials Science and Technology, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, P.R. China
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Rahman MM. Membranes for Osmotic Power Generation by Reverse Electrodialysis. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:164. [PMID: 36837667 PMCID: PMC9963266 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13020164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the utilization of the selective ion transport through porous membranes for osmotic power generation (blue energy) has received a lot of attention. The principal of power generation using the porous membranes is same as that of conventional reverse electrodialysis (RED), but nonporous ion exchange membranes are conventionally used for RED. The ion transport mechanisms through the porous and nonporous membranes are considerably different. Unlike the conventional nonporous membranes, the ion transport through the porous membranes is largely dictated by the principles of nanofluidics. This owes to the fact that the osmotic power generation via selective ion transport through porous membranes is often referred to as nanofluidic reverse electrodialysis (NRED) or nanopore-based power generation (NPG). While RED using nonporous membranes has already been implemented on a pilot-plant scale, the progress of NRED/NPG has so far been limited in the development of small-scale, novel, porous membrane materials. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the membrane design concepts of nanofluidic porous membranes for NPG/NRED. A brief description of material design concepts of conventional nonporous membranes for RED is provided as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mushfequr Rahman
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Membrane Research, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
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Basso Peressut A, Di Virgilio M, Bombino A, Latorrata S, Muurinen E, Keiski RL, Dotelli G. Investigation of Sulfonated Graphene Oxide as the Base Material for Novel Proton Exchange Membranes. Molecules 2022; 27:1507. [PMID: 35268613 PMCID: PMC8912047 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27051507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This work deals with the development of graphene oxide (GO)-based self-assembling membranes as possible innovative proton conductors to be used in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Nowadays, the most adopted electrolyte is Chemours' Nafion; however, it reveals significant deficiencies such as strong dehydration at high temperature and low humidity, which drastically reduces its proton conductivity. The presence of oxygenated moieties in the GO framework makes it suitable for functionalization, which is required to enhance the promising, but insufficient, proton-carrying features of GO. In this study, sulfonic acid groups (-SO3H) that should favor proton transport were introduced in the membrane structure via a reaction between GO and concentrated sulfuric acid. Six acid-to-GO molar ratios were adopted in the synthesis procedure, giving rise to final products with different sulfonation degrees. All the prepared samples were characterized by means of TGA, ATR-FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, temperature-dependent XRD, SEM and EDX, which pointed out morphological and microstructural changes resulting from the functionalization stage, confirming its effectiveness. Regarding functional features, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as well as measurements of ion exchange capacity (IEC) were carried out to describe the behavior of the various samples, with pristine GO and commercial Nafion® 212 used as reference. EIS tests were performed at five different temperatures (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 °C) under high (95%) and medium (42%) relative humidity conditions. Compared to both GO and Nafion® 212, the sulfonated specimens demonstrate an increase in the number of ion-carrying groups, as proved by both IEC and EIS tests, which reveal the enhanced proton conductivity of these novel membranes. Specifically, an acid-to-GO molar ratio of 10 produces a six-fold improvement of IEC (4.23 meq g-1) with respect to pure GO (0.76 meq g-1), while a maximum eight-fold improvement (5.72 meq g-1) is achieved in SGO-15.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Basso Peressut
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy; (A.B.P.); (A.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Matteo Di Virgilio
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy; (A.B.P.); (A.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Antonella Bombino
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy; (A.B.P.); (A.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Saverio Latorrata
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy; (A.B.P.); (A.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Esa Muurinen
- Environmental and Chemical Engineering Research Unit, Faculty of Technology, University of Oulu, Pentti Kaiteran katu 1, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland; (E.M.); (R.L.K.)
| | - Riitta L. Keiski
- Environmental and Chemical Engineering Research Unit, Faculty of Technology, University of Oulu, Pentti Kaiteran katu 1, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland; (E.M.); (R.L.K.)
| | - Giovanni Dotelli
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy; (A.B.P.); (A.B.); (S.L.)
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