Abstract
Despite numerous reports on iontronic devices, there has been no whole circuit working in aqueous media including even power source. Herein, we introduce complete ionic circuits powered by reverse electrodialysis (RED) for the first time without employing any electronic components. The RED-driven polyelectrolyte diode successfully shows rectification behavior which is verified by monitoring dynamic ion distribution through fluorescence in real-time. We can also turn on and off the voltage applied to the circuit, and apply an arbitrary voltage by precisely manipulating the pressure imposed to an elastic connection tube filled with electrolyte. Furthermore, this new concept containing ionic power source advances to a more sophisticated ionic OR logic gate. The proposed system paves the way to develop not only passive iontronic devices (e.g. current ionic diode), but active ones requiring a source of energy, particularly such as a neuron-like information processor powered by fully ionic systems, and thereby aqueous computers.
Highlights
Iontronic devices were suggested to work as biomimetic information processors in biological environment with biocompatible interfaces allowing even bilateral communication with living organs
We show the first example of ionic circuits driven by a miniaturized Reverse electrodialysis (RED) stack without using conventional electronic power sources such as battery or potentiostat
The RED stack generated 2.2 V with 25 ion-exchange membrane (IEM), which is 62.6% of theoretical value (3.51 V). This deviation was originated from imperfect permselectivity of the IEMs and additional conducting paths created by the solution feed channels in the RED system[27]
Summary
Iontronic devices were suggested to work as biomimetic information processors in biological environment with biocompatible interfaces allowing even bilateral communication with living organs. As a fundamental biological signal processing unit, the neuron maintains the membrane potential by itself with its inherent chemical energy, which is unimaginable for current iontronic devices based on external electronic power sources. We report a complete iontronic system comprised of ionic circuits and ionic power source for the first time with several noticeable features. Regarding the unique characteristic that the power generation process only involves ionic current, the RED system as an ionic power source would be suitable for the construction of a complete iontronic device. We show the first example of ionic circuits driven by a miniaturized RED stack without using conventional electronic power sources such as battery or potentiostat. The voltage applied to the circuit can be turned on and off, and more precisely controlled by manipulating the flexible connection tube filled with electrolyte solution, which is reminiscent of a variable resistor
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