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Biomimetic Dual Asymmetric MXene-Based Nanofluidics for Advancing Osmotic Power Generation
Jingyi Guo1, Tianhao Liu1, Weiwen Xin2
1Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Materials Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|September 4, 2025
Summary
Engineered dual asymmetric MXene-based composite nanofluidics (DA-MXCNs) significantly boost osmotic power generation. This breakthrough enhances ion selectivity, paving the way for sustainable energy solutions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Reverse electrodialysis (RED) harnesses osmotic energy between solutions of differing salinity for sustainable power.
- A critical limitation in RED is the low ion permselectivity of nanofluidic membranes, hindering efficient energy conversion.
- MXene materials offer potential for advanced nanofluidic applications due to their unique properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer novel dual asymmetric MXene-based composite nanofluidics (DA-MXCNs) to overcome ion permselectivity limitations in RED.
- To investigate the impact of asymmetric channel dimensions and opposing charge distributions on ion transport and selectivity.
- To demonstrate the potential of DA-MXCNs for efficient osmotic energy harvesting.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of DA-MXCNs featuring distinct negatively and positively charged MXene layers with controlled channel asymmetry.
- Characterization of ion flux, selectivity coefficients (Na+ selectivity coefficient, Na+/Cl- selectivity ratio), and power density using experimental and theoretical approaches.
- Evaluation of the DA-MXCNs performance in an osmotic energy conversion system.
Main Results:
- DA-MXCNs demonstrated a 3.4-fold increase in ion flux compared to unmodified nanofluidics, reaching 7.71 mmol m-2 h-1.
- Achieved a high Na+ selectivity coefficient of 0.985 and a Na+/Cl- selectivity ratio of approximately 65.7, indicating superior cation transport.
- The osmotic energy conversion system utilizing DA-MXCNs reached a power density of 126.0 W m-2, surpassing existing MXene-based systems.
Conclusions:
- The engineered DA-MXCNs effectively enhance ion permselectivity through dual asymmetric design, enabling efficient osmotic energy conversion.
- This work provides a viable strategy for developing high-performance nanofluidic devices for sustainable energy generation.
- The developed technology holds promise for advancements in ion batteries and ion separation technologies.
