Serosa-Mimetic Nanoarchitecture Membranes for Highly Efficient Osmotic Energy Generation

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Zengming Man - , University of Technology Sydney, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Author)
  • Javad Safaei - , University of Technology Sydney (Author)
  • Zhen Zhang - , Chair of Molecular Functional Materials (cfaed) (Author)
  • Yizhou Wang - , University of Technology Sydney (Author)
  • Dong Zhou - , University of Technology Sydney (Author)
  • Peng Li - , Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Author)
  • Xiaogang Zhang - , Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Author)
  • Lei Jiang - , CAS - Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry (Author)
  • Guoxiu Wang - , University of Technology Sydney (Author)

Abstract

Osmotic energy stored between seawater and freshwater is a clean and renewable energy source. However, developing high-efficiency and durable permselective membranes for harvesting osmotic energy remains a longstanding bottleneck. Herein, we report that a nanocomposite membrane with a biological serosa-mimetic structure can achieve high-performance osmotic energy generation through the coupling of two-dimensional (2D) sulfonated covalent organic framework (COF) nanosheets and anion-grafted aramid nanofibers (ANFs). As verified by theoretical calculations and experimental investigations, the 2D COF nanosheets not only provide abundant one-dimensional (1D)/2D nanofluidic channels to synergistically benefit an ultrafast ion migration but also enable high cation permselectivity via the covalently tethered anions. The grafted ANFs increase the mechanical strength of the membrane and further improve the ion diffusion/rectification. When it was applied in an osmotic power generator, the biomimetic membrane delivered a power density of 9.6 W m-2, far surpassing the commercial benchmark of 5.0 W m-2. This work could boost the viability of osmotic energy conversion toward a sustainable future.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)16206-16216
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume143
Issue number39
Publication statusPublished - 6 Oct 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 34570466