All-natural 2D nanofluidics as highly-efficient osmotic energy generators

Jiadong Tang, Yun Wang, Hongyang Yang, Qianqian Zhang (), Ce Wang, Leyuan Li, Zilong Zheng (), Yuhong Jin, Hao Wang, Yifan Gu () and Tieyong Zuo
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Jiadong Tang: Beijing University of Technology
Yun Wang: Beijing University of Technology
Hongyang Yang: Beijing University of Technology
Qianqian Zhang: Beijing University of Technology
Ce Wang: Beijing University of Technology
Leyuan Li: Beijing University of Technology
Zilong Zheng: Beijing University of Technology
Yuhong Jin: Beijing University of Technology
Hao Wang: Beijing University of Technology
Yifan Gu: Beijing University of Technology
Tieyong Zuo: Beijing University of Technology

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Two-dimensional nanofluidics based on naturally abundant clay are good candidates for harvesting osmotic energy between the sea and river from the perspective of commercialization and environmental sustainability. However, clay-based nanofluidics outputting long-term considerable osmotic power remains extremely challenging to achieve due to the lack of surface charge and mechanical strength. Here, a two-dimensional all-natural nanofluidic (2D-NNF) is developed as a robust and highly efficient osmotic energy generator based on an interlocking configuration of stacked montmorillonite nanosheets (from natural clay) and their intercalated cellulose nanofibers (from natural wood). The generated nano-confined interlamellar channels with abundant surface and space negative charges facilitate selective and fast hopping transport of cations in the 2D-NNF. This contributes to an osmotic power output of ~8.61 W m−2 by mixing artificial seawater and river water, higher than other reported state-of-the-art 2D nanofluidics. According to detailed life cycle assessments (LCA), the 2D-NNF demonstrates great advantages in resource consumption (1/14), greenhouse gas emissions (1/9), and production costs (1/13) compared with the mainstream 2D nanofluidics, promising good sustainability for large-scale and highly-efficient osmotic power generation.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47915-z

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