Dual-Functional Super-Assembled Mesoporous Carbon-Titania/AAO Hetero-Channels for Bidirectionally Photo-Regulated Ion Transport.

Abstract

Photo-regulated nanofluidic devices have attracted great attention in recent years due to their adjustable ion transport in real time. However, most of the photo-responsive nanofluidic devices can only adjust the ionic current unidirectionally, and cannot simultaneously increase or decrease the current signal intelligently by one device. Herein, a mesoporous carbon-titania/ anodized aluminum hetero-channels (MCT/AAO) is constructed by super-assembly strategy, which exhibits dual-function of cation selectivity and photo response. The polymer and TiO2 nanocrystals jointly build the MCT framework. Polymer framework with abundant negatively charged sites endows MCT/AAO with excellent cation selectivity, and TiO2 nanocrystals are responsible for the photo-regulated ion transport. High photo current densities of 1.8mAm-2 (increase) and 1.2mAm-2 (decrease) are realized by MCT/AAO benefiting from the ordered hetero-channels. Significantly, MCT/AAO can also achieve the bidirectionally adjustable osmotic energy by alternating the configurations of concentration gradient. Theoretical and experimental results reveal that the superior photo-generated potential is responsible for the bidirectionally adjustable ion transport. Consequently, MCT/AAO performs the function of harvesting ionic energy from the equilibrium electrolyte solution, which greatly expands its practical application field. This work provides a new strategy in constructing dual-functional hetero-channels toward bidirectionally photo-regulated ionic transport and energy harvesting.