Deakin University
Browse

Light-enhanced osmotic energy generation with an aramid nanofiber membrane

Version 2 2024-06-03, 02:18
Version 1 2023-12-19, 03:46
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-03, 02:18 authored by C Chen, Y Lin, Weiwei LeiWeiwei Lei, Guoliang Yang, Y Liu, M Xu, X Li, Dan Liu
AbstractOsmotic energy generation with reverse electrodialysis through membranes provides a worldwide free energy resource. Photo-driven proton transport in photosynthesis supplies basal energy for plants and living organisms on the planet. Here, we utilized aramid nanofiber (ANF) semiconductor-based membranes to enable light-driven proton transport for osmotic energy generation. Under unilateral illumination, the light-driven proton transport system converted light energy into electrical energy and showed wavelength- and intensity-dependent transmembrane potentials and currents. Interestingly, the synergistic effects of simultaneous illumination and pressure provided a five-fold increase in the voltage and a three-fold increase in the current relative to pressure alone. Density functional theory calculations and spectroscopic measurements demonstrated that the ANF and photoinduced electrons enabled proton transport during illumination and generated a transmembrane potential and current. The light-driven proton transport system supports the development of devices with flexible and stable ANF membranes.

History

Journal

NPG Asia Materials

Volume

15

Article number

ARTN 64

Location

Berlin, Germany

ISSN

1884-4049

eISSN

1884-4057

Language

English

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Issue

1

Publisher

NATURE PORTFOLIO