Abstract
Transmembrane ion transportation in the nanofluidic salinity gradient energy conversion process is significantly regulated by the ion characteristics and concentration-depended physical and chemical properties of the electrolyte solution. In this paper, considering the Born and dielectrophoretic forces and nonhomogeneous electrolyte solution, impacts of various electrolytes on the nanofluidic energy conversion performance are systematically investigated under various solution pHs. When the solution pH is less than the isoelectric point (IEP), with BeCl2 solution employed, where the anion diffusion and concentration coefficient are much larger than those of the anion, significant transmembrane anion diffusion exists, leading to the highest osmotic current and maximum power output, even when the solution pH > IEP where the nanochannel is negatively charged, the ion selectivity is still not altered. At pH < IEP, 2:1 electrolytes, where the cation has small ion diffusion coefficient and the anion has larger diffusion coefficient and hydrated radius could result in upgraded energy conversion performance; At pH > IEP, 1:1 electrolytes where the cation has large ion diffusion coefficient and the anion has small diffusion coefficient and large hydrated radius are more appealing. In addition, the relationships between ion characteristics, power extracted, and energy conversion efficiency are further obtained via machine learning.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.