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Updated: Jul 12, 2025

Harvesting Solar Energy by Means of Charge-Separating Nanocrystals and Their Solids
Published on: August 23, 2012
Photoelectric responsive ionic channel for sustainable energy harvesting
Qing Guo1, Zhuozhi Lai1, Xiuhui Zuo1
1Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Engineering Manufacture Technology, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Abstract:
Access to sustainable energy is paramount in today's world, with a significant emphasis on solar and water-based energy sources. Herein, we develop photo-responsive ionic dye-sensitized covalent organic framework membranes. These innovative membranes are designed to significantly enhance selective ion transport by exploiting the intricate interplay between photons, electrons, and ions. The nanofluidic devices engineered in our study showcase exceptional cation conductivity. Additionally, they can adeptly convert light into electrical signals due to photoexcitation-triggered ion movement. Combining the effects of salinity gradients with photo-induced ion movement, the efficiency of these devices is notably amplified. Specifically, under a salinity differential of 0.5/0.01 M NaCl and light exposure, the device reaches a peak power density of 129 W m-2, outperforming the current market standard by approximately 26-fold. Beyond introducing the idea of photoelectric activity in ionic membranes, our research highlights a potential pathway to cater to the escalating global energy needs.
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