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Updated: Sep 20, 2025

Merging Ion Concentration Polarization between Juxtaposed Ion Exchange Membranes to Block the Propagation of the Polarization Zone
Published on: February 23, 2017
Synergistic Effect of Electrostatic Interaction and Ionic Dehydration on Asymmetric Ion Transport in Nanochannel/Ion
Zeng-Qiang Wu1,2, Cheng-Yong Li1,3, Xin-Lei Ding1
1State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
Abstract:
Ion transport in nanochannels of a size comparable to that of hydrated ions exhibits unique properties due to the synergistic effect of various forces. Here, we design a nanochannel/ion channel composite (NIC) membrane that shows a high ion current rectification (ICR) ratio in different electrolytes. Experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that the synergistic effect of electrostatic interaction and ionic dehydration plays an important role in regulating the ICR behavior of the NIC membrane. We find that electrostatic attraction between ions and the channel surface in the ultraconfined space increases the probability of ionic dehydarion, resulting in different dehydration energy costs for different ions. This further alters the driving force for ion transport and thus regulates ICR of the NIC membrane. This work provides fundamental knowledge of ion transport in ion channels, which aids in the understanding of the function of biological systems and the design of high-performance nanochannel devices.
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