liu-bioinspired-2020.pdf (2.78 MB)
Download fileBio-inspired nanocomposite membranes for osmotic energy harvesting
journal contribution
posted on 2020-01-01, 00:00 authored by Cheng Chen, Dan LiuDan Liu, L He, Alex QinAlex Qin, J Wang, Joselito RazalJoselito Razal, N A Kotov, Weiwei LeiWeiwei LeiOsmotic energy is a renewable energy with zero emissions and minimal daily variations. However, the membranes for osmotic energy harvesting must have multiple properties that are thought to be impossible to realize to make this technology viable. Here, we show that cartilage-inspired cation-selective composite membrane assembled from aramid nanofibers and boron nitride nanosheets make it possible by a layer-by-layer assembly technology. The osmotic energy can be harvested by both salt concentration gradient and pressure-driven streaming because of the high mechanical and transport characteristics of the membranes. The combination of high strength, toughness, chemical resilience, rapid ion transport, and structural versatility of aramid-boron nitride composites makes it a promising candidate for osmotic energy harvesting under realistic operational conditions and life-cycle requirements.
History
Journal
JouleVolume
4Issue
1Pagination
247 - 261Publisher
Cell PressLocation
Cambridge, Mass.Publisher DOI
Link to full text
eISSN
2542-4351Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalUsage metrics
Read the peer-reviewed publication
Categories
Keywords
Science & TechnologyPhysical SciencesTechnologyChemistry, PhysicalEnergy & FuelsMaterials Science, MultidisciplinaryChemistryMaterials ScienceSUSTAINABLE POWER-GENERATIONREVERSE-ELECTRODIALYSISTHIN-FILMCONCENTRATION-GRADIENTMECHANICAL-PROPERTIESION-TRANSPORTGRAPHENENANOPARTICLESPERFORMANCECONDUCTIVITY