High Electrokinetic Energy Conversion Efficiency in Charged Nanoporous Nitrocellulose/Sulfonated Polystyrene Membranes

TY - JOUR

T1 - High Electrokinetic Energy Conversion Efficiency in Charged Nanoporous Nitrocellulose/Sulfonated Polystyrene Membranes

AU - Haldrup, Sofie

AU - Catalano, Jacopo

AU - Hansen, Michael Ryan

AU - Wagner, Manfred

AU - Jensen, Grethe Vestergaard

AU - Pedersen, Jan Skov

AU - Bentien, Anders

PY - 2015/1/14

Y1 - 2015/1/14

N2 - The synthesis, characterization, and electrokinetic energy conversion performance have been investigated experimentally in a charged polymeric membrane based on a blend of nitrocellulose and sulfonated polystyrene. The membrane is characterized by a moderate ion exchange capacity and a relatively porous structure with average pore diameter of 11 nm. With electrokinetic energy conversion, pressure can be converted directly into electric energy and vice versa. From the electrokinetic transport properties, a remarkably large intrinsic maximum efficiency of 46% is found. It is anticipated that the results are an experimental verification of theoretical models that predict high electrokinetic energy conversion efficiency in pores with high permselectivity and hydrodynamic slip flow. Furthermore, the result is a promising step for obtaining efficient low-cost electrokinetic generators and pumps for small or microscale applications.

AB - The synthesis, characterization, and electrokinetic energy conversion performance have been investigated experimentally in a charged polymeric membrane based on a blend of nitrocellulose and sulfonated polystyrene. The membrane is characterized by a moderate ion exchange capacity and a relatively porous structure with average pore diameter of 11 nm. With electrokinetic energy conversion, pressure can be converted directly into electric energy and vice versa. From the electrokinetic transport properties, a remarkably large intrinsic maximum efficiency of 46% is found. It is anticipated that the results are an experimental verification of theoretical models that predict high electrokinetic energy conversion efficiency in pores with high permselectivity and hydrodynamic slip flow. Furthermore, the result is a promising step for obtaining efficient low-cost electrokinetic generators and pumps for small or microscale applications.

U2 - 10.1021/nl5042287

DO - 10.1021/nl5042287

M3 - Letter

C2 - 25555128

SN - 1530-6984

VL - 15

SP - 1158

EP - 1165

JO - Nano Letters

JF - Nano Letters

IS - 2

ER -