journal article·2026-08

Broad‐Salinity Osmotic Energy Harvesting From Composition Tuned Laminar Membranes

Zhebin Shen, Ning Gan, Yumeng Guo, Qianxi Zhang, Mengge Wang, Shilong Li, Minghong Li, Hui Zhong, Qiuyue Wang, Yuqing Lin, Ze‐Xian Low, Zhaoxiang Zhong

Small· Volume 22· Issue 43
Publisher page

Abstract

ABSTRACT Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is a promising pathway for blue energy generation from salinity gradients, yet its efficiency hinges on ion‐exchange membranes that perform across widely varying environmental ionic strengths. In realistic high‐salinity sources, large concentration fluctuations strongly influence ion transport and degrade energy output, posing a major challenge for membrane optimization under broad‐salinity conditions. Here, we present a composition‐tunable laminar composite membrane strategy that sustains high osmotic energy harvesting across diverse concentration regimes by adjusting the ratio between Ti 3 C 2 T x and 1,4‐phenylenediamine‐2‐sulfonic acid (DAS). Modulating the DAS fraction simultaneously regulates interlayer channel size and fixed charge density, systematically correlated with RED performance across varying concentrations spanning 0.05 to 5 m . We discovered that low DAS content membranes form narrower, highly selective channels optimal for high‐salinity environments, whereas high DAS content membranes feature enlarged channels favoring low‐salinity environments. Across all salinity regimes, membrane resistance emerges as the dominant factor governing energy output and is minimized through electrostatic control (via charge density) at high salinity and steric control (via free spacing) at low salinity. This composition‐modulated strategy establishes a link between membrane formulation, nanochannel structure, and device‐level performance, offering a versatile pathway for designing RED membranes capable of efficient broad‐salinity operation.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Membrane-based Ion Separation Techniques · Nanopore and Nanochannel Transport Studies · Fuel Cells and Related Materials

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Materials‐Oriented Chemical Engineering National Engineering Research Center for Special Separation Membrane Nanjing Tech University Nanjing China

NJTECH University Suzhou Future Membrane Technology Innovation Center Suzhou China

National Engineering Research Center for Comprehensive Utilization of Salt Lake Resources School of Chemical Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai China

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Jinggangshan University Jian China

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia

School of Environmental Science and Engineering Nanjing Tech University Nanjing China

Energy and Environmental Materials Research Department Suzhou Laboratory Suzhou China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Jiangsu Provincial Department of Science and Technology

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