Zeolite membrane with sub-nanofluidic channels for superior blue energy harvesting
Abstract Blue energy, a clean energy source derived from salinity gradients, has recently drawn increased research attention. It can be harvested using charged membranes, typically composed of amorphous materials that suffer from low power density due to their disordered structure and low charge den...
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| Format: | Article |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54755-4 |
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| author | Ruicong Wei Xiaowei Liu Li Cao Cailing Chen I-Chun Chen Zhen Li Jun Miao Zhiping Lai |
| author_facet | Ruicong Wei Xiaowei Liu Li Cao Cailing Chen I-Chun Chen Zhen Li Jun Miao Zhiping Lai |
| author_sort | Ruicong Wei |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Blue energy, a clean energy source derived from salinity gradients, has recently drawn increased research attention. It can be harvested using charged membranes, typically composed of amorphous materials that suffer from low power density due to their disordered structure and low charge density. Crystalline materials, with inherently ordered porous structures, offer a promising alternative for overcoming these limitations. Zeolite, a crystalline material with ordered sub-nanofluidic channels and tunable charge density, is particularly well-suited for this purpose. Here, we demonstrate that NaX zeolite functions as a high-performance membrane for blue energy generation. The NaX zeolite membrane achieves a power density of 21.27 W m⁻² under a 50-fold NaCl concentration gradient, exceeding the performance of state-of-the-art membranes under similar conditions. When tested under practical scenarios, it yields power densities of 29.1 W m⁻², 81.0 W m⁻², and 380.1 W m⁻² in the Red Sea/River, Dead Sea/River, and Qinghai Brine/River configurations, respectively. Notably, the membrane operates effectively in high alkaline conditions (~0.5 M NaOH) and selectively separates CO₃²⁻ from OH⁻ ions with a selectivity of 25. These results underscore zeolite membranes’ potential for blue energy, opening further opportunities in this field. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-feae6acbd5ad47d5abfc0eb1506f2464 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-feae6acbd5ad47d5abfc0eb1506f24642024-12-08T12:36:18ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232024-12-0115111110.1038/s41467-024-54755-4Zeolite membrane with sub-nanofluidic channels for superior blue energy harvestingRuicong Wei0Xiaowei Liu1Li Cao2Cailing Chen3I-Chun Chen4Zhen Li5Jun Miao6Zhiping Lai7Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center, Division of Physical Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center, Division of Physical Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center, Division of Physical Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center, Division of Physical Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center, Division of Physical Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center, Division of Physical Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center, Division of Physical Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center, Division of Physical Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Abstract Blue energy, a clean energy source derived from salinity gradients, has recently drawn increased research attention. It can be harvested using charged membranes, typically composed of amorphous materials that suffer from low power density due to their disordered structure and low charge density. Crystalline materials, with inherently ordered porous structures, offer a promising alternative for overcoming these limitations. Zeolite, a crystalline material with ordered sub-nanofluidic channels and tunable charge density, is particularly well-suited for this purpose. Here, we demonstrate that NaX zeolite functions as a high-performance membrane for blue energy generation. The NaX zeolite membrane achieves a power density of 21.27 W m⁻² under a 50-fold NaCl concentration gradient, exceeding the performance of state-of-the-art membranes under similar conditions. When tested under practical scenarios, it yields power densities of 29.1 W m⁻², 81.0 W m⁻², and 380.1 W m⁻² in the Red Sea/River, Dead Sea/River, and Qinghai Brine/River configurations, respectively. Notably, the membrane operates effectively in high alkaline conditions (~0.5 M NaOH) and selectively separates CO₃²⁻ from OH⁻ ions with a selectivity of 25. These results underscore zeolite membranes’ potential for blue energy, opening further opportunities in this field.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54755-4 |
| spellingShingle | Ruicong Wei Xiaowei Liu Li Cao Cailing Chen I-Chun Chen Zhen Li Jun Miao Zhiping Lai Zeolite membrane with sub-nanofluidic channels for superior blue energy harvesting Nature Communications |
| title | Zeolite membrane with sub-nanofluidic channels for superior blue energy harvesting |
| title_full | Zeolite membrane with sub-nanofluidic channels for superior blue energy harvesting |
| title_fullStr | Zeolite membrane with sub-nanofluidic channels for superior blue energy harvesting |
| title_full_unstemmed | Zeolite membrane with sub-nanofluidic channels for superior blue energy harvesting |
| title_short | Zeolite membrane with sub-nanofluidic channels for superior blue energy harvesting |
| title_sort | zeolite membrane with sub nanofluidic channels for superior blue energy harvesting |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54755-4 |
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