Smart Bioinspired Nanochannels and their Applications in Energy‐Conversion Systems

Abstract

materials. For example, nanochannels fab ricated in elastic materials can respond to an applied pressure, [4] and conical nanochannels in poly(ethylene tereph thalate) (PET) membranes can respond to pH. [5] Thus, it is convenient to achieve simple responsive properties by directly using responsive materials to construct the nano channels. The second route is an indirect method, where functional molecules and materials are modified onto the inner surfaces of nanochannels. This method can change the physical and chemical properties of nanochannels to make the system more intelligent. [6] Smart bioinspired nano channels with different shapes and compositions have been fabri cated, and these nanochannels can respond to various stimuli, such as pH, [7] light, [8] temperature, [9] specific ions, [10] and mole cules. [11] Compared with their fragile biological counterparts, smart bioinspired nanochannels possess excellent mechanical robustness, controllable geometry, tunable surface properties, and good chemical stability. [12] These advantages make them useful for many potential applications, ranging from molecular filters to biosensors to energy conversion devices. [13] Smart bioinspired nanochannels not only provide a basic research platform to simulate the ion transport process in living bodies, but also boost the generation of energy conver sion devices. In nature, ion channels can be used as switches to regulate mass transport and energy conversion. Learning from nature, numerous energy conversion systems based on artificial ion channels have been devised, [14] which are of great significance for the development of sustainable energy. Here, we summarize recent advances in the fabrication of smart bioinspired nanochannels and highlight their applications in energy conversion systems. Recent Advances in the Fabrication of Smart Bioinspired Nanochannels Materials and TechniquesThe fragility and instability of biological ion channels have motivated the development of smart bioinspired nanochan nels. To satisfy specific application requirements, various materials such as biological, [15] inorganic, [16] organic, [17] and composite materials [18] have been used to fabricate artificial nanochannels. Currently, nanochannels with diverse shapes and structures can be obtained using different techniques and Smart bioinspired nanochannels exhibiting ion-transport properties similar to biological ion channels have attracted extensive attention. Like ion channels in nature, smart bioinspired nanochannels can respond to various stimuli, which lays a solid foundation for mass transport and energy conversion. Fundamental research into smart bioinspired nanochannels not only furthers understanding of life processes in living bodies, but also inspires researchers to construct smart nanodevices to meet the increasing demand for the use of renewable resources. Here, a brief summary of recent research progress regarding the design and preparation of smart bioinspired nanochannels is presented. Moreover, representative applications ...

Improved osmotic energy conversion in heterogeneous membrane boosted by three-dimensional hydrogel interface

“…In this respect, the emerging bioinspired nanofluidic heterogeneous membranes that are constructed by the hybridization of two monolayer porous membranes have shown unprecedented superiority [16][17][18][19][20] . The synergistic effect between the two layers with inherent asymmetric structure, charge, and wettability would contribute to novel ionic transport properties such as ionic diode effect [21][22][23] .…”

Self‐Assembled Gold Arrays That Allow Rectification by Nanoscale Selectivity

“…Typically, the open circuit voltage reached tens of mV to 300 mV, and the open circuit current density reached 3 A m −2 . The nanochannels were placed between artificial river water (0.01 m NaCl) and artificial seawater (0.5 m NaCl), and the power generated was used to supply an electrical load . The power density obtained was shown in Figure f. As the load resistance increased, the current density decreased and the output power density reached a maximum of about 0.1 W m −2 , with a resistance of about 100 kΩ.…”

Self‐Assembled Gold Arrays That Allow Rectification by Nanoscale Selectivity

“…Ty pically,t he open circuit voltage reached tens of mV to 300 mV,a nd the open circuit current density reached 3Am À2 .T he nanochannels were placed between artificial river water (0.01m NaCl) and artificial seawater (0.5 m NaCl), and the power generated was used to supply an electrical load. [45] Thep ower density obtained was shown in Figure 5f.A st he load resistance increased, the current density decreased and the output power density reached am aximum of about 0.1 Wm À2 ,w ith aresistance of about 100 kW.These results demonstrated that the gold nanoarray heteromembrane had an energy conversion capacity,s uggesting new directions for future research into gold nanoarray heteromembranes.…”