A Trilayer Nanofluidic Ionic Diode for High-Performance Moisture-Enabled Energy Harvesting and Ionic Logic Operations

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Energy Harvesting
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Nanofluidic ionic diodes facilitate directional ion transport in nanochannels for energy harvesting.
• Current limitations in moisture-enabled power generation include poor carrier generation and device instability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-performance nanofluidic ionic diode for moisture-enabled power generation.
• To address limitations in carrier generation and device stability for sustainable energy harvesting.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a trilayer nanofluidic ionic diode in a p-i-n configuration using charged and doped neutral fabrics.
• Integration of graphene oxide nanochannels within charged layers to create a built-in electric field.
• Utilizing a hygroscopic neutral layer for efficient moisture absorption and ion dissociation.

Main Results:

• Achieved a remarkable voltage of ≈1.38 V and current of ≈35 µA cm⁻².
• Demonstrated a peak voltage of ≈1.6 V with stable operation exceeding 600 hours using active metal electrodes.
• The device exhibits diode-like rectification for directional ion transport.

Conclusions:

• The developed trilayer diode offers a versatile platform for high-performance nanofluidic devices.
• This technology bridges sustainable power generation with emerging iontronic systems.
• Potential applications include ionic logic gates and foldable power sources for portable electronics.