Printable high-performance iontronic power source based on osmotic effects

Abstract

Iontronic power sources have attracted widespread attention in the field of energy harvesting and storage. However, conventional devices only generate an output voltage of ~1.0 V. Herein, we have developed units with an ultra-high voltage of ~2.0 V per unit based on osmotic effects and fine-tuning interfacial redox reactions. These systems are designed to harness the efficient ion dynamics of K⁺ within graphene oxide nanofluidic channels and tailor Faradaic processes at the interfaces. Printable, scalable, and optimized through fractal design, these miniaturized units are capable of directly powering commercial electronics, presenting a transformative paradigm for salinity gradient-based power generation. This approach offers a safe, ultra-thin, and portable solution for next-generation energy systems.

Keywords

Printable iontronic power source / osmotic effects / ion dynamics / graphene oxide / nanofluidic channels

References

[1] Peng P,Liu J,Wei D.Peng P, Qian H, Liu J, Wang Z, Wei D. Bioinspired ionic control for energy and information flow.Int J Smart Nano Mater2024;15:198-221

[2] Graf M,Unuchek D.Light-enhanced blue energy generation using MoS₂ nanopores.Joule2019;3:1549-64

[3] Tsutsui M,Garoli D.Gate-all-around nanopore osmotic power generators.ACS Nano2024;18:15046-54

[4] Liu P,Jiang L.Ion transport in nanofluidics under external fields.Chem Soc Rev2024;53:2972-3001

[5] Liu P,Zhang L.Osmotic-enhanced-photoelectrochemical hydrogen production based on nanofluidics.CCS Chem2023;5:2012-22

[6] Esfandiar A,Wang FC.Size effect in ion transport through angstrom-scale slits.Science2017;358:511-3

[7] Zhang Z,Jiang L.Nanofluidics for osmotic energy conversion.Nat Rev Mater2021;6:622-39

[8] Xin W,Huang X.High-performance silk-based hybrid membranes employed for osmotic energy conversion.Nat Commun2019;10:3876 PMCID:PMC6713777

[9] Mei T,Xu G.Ionic transistors.ACS Nano2024;18:4624-50

[10] Kim S,Lee HG.Neuromorphic van der Waals crystals for substantial energy generation.Nat Commun2021;12:47 PMCID:PMC7782783

[11] Xin W,Qian Y.Biomimetic KcsA channels with ultra-selective K⁺ transport for monovalent ion sieving.Nat Commun2022;13:1701 PMCID:PMC8971412

[12] Tang J,Yang H.All-natural 2D nanofluidics as highly-efficient osmotic energy generators.Nat Commun2024;15:3649 PMCID:PMC11058229

[13] Li C,Sui X,Gao L.Large-scale, robust mushroom-shaped nanochannel array membrane for ultrahigh osmotic energy conversion.Sci Adv2021;7:eabg2183 PMCID:PMC8133705

[14] Shen J,Han Y.Artificial channels for confined mass transport at the sub-nanometre scale.Nat Rev Mater2021;6:294-312

[15] Zhong J,Xie Q.Exploring anomalous fluid behavior at the nanoscale: direct visualization and quantification via nanofluidic devices.Acc Chem Res2020;53:347-57

[16] Forse A,Merlet C.Direct observation of ion dynamics in supercapacitor electrodes using in situ diffusion NMR spectroscopy.Nat Energy2017;2:2016216

[17] Qian H,Wang Z.Bionic iontronics based on nano-confined structures.Nano Res2023;16:11718-30

[18] Xue Y,Yang S.Atomic-scale ion transistor with ultrahigh diffusivity.Science2021;372:501-3

[19] Wang M,Yu L.Anomalies of ionic/molecular transport in nano and sub-nano confinement.Nano Lett2020;20:6937-46

[20] Daiguji H.Ion transport in nanofluidic channels.Chem Soc Rev2010;39:901-11

[21] Robin P.Nanofluidics at the crossroads.J Chem Phys2023;158:160901

[22] Zhan H,Cheng C,Liu JZ.Solvation-involved nanoionics: new opportunities from 2D nanomaterial laminar membranes.Adv Mater2020;32:e1904562

[23] Zhu C,Niu B.Metallic two-dimensional MoS₂ composites as high-performance osmotic energy conversion membranes.J Am Chem Soc2021;143:1932-40

[24] Yang L,Li S.MOFs/MXene nano-hierarchical porous structures for efficient ion dynamics.Nano Energy2024;129:110076

[25] Yang L,Qian H,Wang ZL.Osmotic power generation based on nanoconfined materials.MRS Energy Sustain2024;11:193-218

[26] Qian H,Fan H.Horizontal transport in Ti₃C₂T_x MXene for highly efficient osmotic energy conversion from saline-alkali environments.Angew Chem Int Ed2024;63:e202414984

[27] Yang F,Yan Z.Vertical iontronic energy storage based on osmotic effects and electrode redox reactions.Nat Energy2024;9:263-71

[28] Peng P,Wang Z.Integratable paper-based iontronic power source for all-in-one disposable electronics.Adv Energy Mater2023;13:2302360

[29] Wei D,Jiang Z.Flexible iontronics based on 2D nanofluidic material.Nat Commun2022;13:4965 PMCID:PMC9402920

[30] Peng P,Li X,Wang Z.High-power iontronics enabled by nanoconfined ion dynamics.Cell Rep Phys Sci2024;5:101824

[31] Wei D.Writable electrochemical energy source based on graphene oxide.Sci Rep2015;5:15173 PMCID:PMC4604454

[32] Yang L,Liu X.A moisture-enabled fully printable power source inspired by electric eels.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A2021;118 PMCID:PMC8072409

[33] Abraham J,Williams CD.Tunable sieving of ions using graphene oxide membranes.Nat Nanotechnol2017;12:546-50

[34] Nightingale ER.Phenomenological theory of ion solvation. Effective radii of hydrated ions.J Phys Chem1959;63:1381-7

[35] Huang A,Kumar P.Low-temperature and fast-charging lithium metal batteries enabled by solvent-solvent interaction mediated electrolyte.Nano Lett2024:7499-507

[36] Xiong M,Chakraborty R.Ion trapping and thermionic emission across sub-nm pores.Nano Lett2023;23:11719-26

[37] Fan X,Li Y.Deoxygenation of exfoliated graphite oxide under alkaline conditions: a green route to graphene preparation.Adv Mater2008;20:4490-3

[38] Pei S.The reduction of graphene oxide.Carbon2012;50:3210-28

[39] Xiong M,Leburton J.Ionic coulomb drag in nanofluidic semiconductor channels for energy harvest.Nano Energy2023;117:108860

[40] Jiang Y,Wang T.A nanofluidic chemoelectrical generator with enhanced energy harvesting by ion-electron coulomb drag.Nat Commun2024;15:8582 PMCID:PMC11449912