Bioinspired Artificial Ion Pumps

Abstract

Ion pumps are important membrane-spanning transporters that pump ions against the electrochemical gradient across the cell membrane. In biological systems, ion pumping is essential to maintain intracellular osmotic pressure, to respond to external stimuli, and to regulate physiological activities by consuming adenosine triphosphate. In recent decades, artificial ion pumping systems with diverse geometric structures and functions have been developing rapidly with the progress of advanced materials and nanotechnology. In this Review, bioinspired artificial ion pumps, including four categories: asymmetric structure-driven ion pumps, pH gradient-driven ion pumps, light-driven ion pumps, and electron-driven ion pumps, are summarized. The working mechanisms, functions, and applications of those artificial ion pumping systems are discussed. Finally, a brief conclusion of underpinning challenges and outlook for future research are tentatively discussed.

Synaptical Tunability of Multipore Nanofluidic Memristors

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Pressure‐Regulated Nanoconfined Channels for Highly Effective Mechanical–Electrical Conversion in Proton Battery‐Type Self‐Powered Pressure Sensor

“…Human skin can sense the pressure response for a long time, not only because its membrane potential responds when it receives a stimulus, [34,35] but also because the membrane protein can pump ions outside the membrane when it does not receive a stimulus, forming an ion gradient difference. In the current study, most of the protocols could not reuse the electrode, making it inevitable that the sensor would lose energy during use, which was mainly due to the directional migration of ions driven by the chemical potential energy of the electrodes on both sides.…”

Design of Photothermal “Ion Pumps” for Achieving Energy-Efficient, Augmented, and Durable Lithium Extraction from Seawater

“…In biological ion pumps, the ions can be transported from low concentration to high concentration under light stimuli. − Inspired by this stimuli-induced ion transportation against concentration gradient, we propose a versatile design concept of photothermal ion pumps (PIPs) that allow for spontaneous, continuous Li + transport and enrichment under sunlight, achieving efficient and durable lithium extraction from seawater (Scheme a). Such PIPs are designed by the rational choice of a hydrophilic Li + -trapping nanofibrous core for selective Li + trapping and a hydrophobic photothermal shell for efficient solar-driven evaporation.…”