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Title: History-dependent ion transport through conical nanopipettes and the implications in energy conversion dynamics at nanoscale interfaces

Abstract

The dynamics of ion transport at nanostructured substrate–solution interfaces play vital roles in high-density energy conversion, stochastic chemical sensing and biosensing, membrane separation, nanofluidics and fundamental nanoelectrochemistry. Advancements in these applications require a fundamental understanding of ion transport at nanoscale interfaces. The understanding of the dynamic or transient transport, and the key physical process involved, is limited, which contrasts sharply with widely studied steady-state ion transport features at atomic and nanometer scale interfaces. Here we report striking time-dependent ion transport characteristics at nanoscale interfaces in current–potential (I–V) measurements and theoretical analyses. First, a unique non-zero I–V cross-point and pinched I–V curves are established as signatures to characterize the dynamics of ion transport through individual conical nanopipettes. Moreoever, ion transport against a concentration gradient is regulated by applied and surface electrical fields. The concept of ion pumping or separation is demonstrated via the selective ion transport against concentration gradients through individual nanopipettes. Third, this dynamic ion transport process under a predefined salinity gradient is discussed in the context of nanoscale energy conversion in supercapacitor type charging–discharging, as well as chemical and electrical energy conversion. Our analysis of the emerging current–potential features establishes the urgently needed physical foundation for energy conversion employingmore » ordered nanostructures. The elucidated mechanism and established methodology can be generalized into broadly-defined nanoporous materials and devices for improved energy, separation and sensing applications.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Georgia State Univ., Atlanta, GA (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Fluid Interface Reactions, Structures and Transport Center (FIRST)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); National Science Foundation (NSF)
OSTI Identifier:
1265884
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC05-00OR22725; 1059022
Resource Type:
Journal Article: Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Chemical Science
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 6; Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 2041-6520
Publisher:
Royal Society of Chemistry
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY

Citation Formats

Li, Yan, Wang, Dengchao, Kvetny, Maksim M., Brown, Warren, Liu, Juan, and Wang, Gangli. History-dependent ion transport through conical nanopipettes and the implications in energy conversion dynamics at nanoscale interfaces. United States: N. p., 2014. Web. doi:10.1039/C4SC02195A.
Li, Yan, Wang, Dengchao, Kvetny, Maksim M., Brown, Warren, Liu, Juan, & Wang, Gangli. History-dependent ion transport through conical nanopipettes and the implications in energy conversion dynamics at nanoscale interfaces. United States. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4SC02195A
Li, Yan, Wang, Dengchao, Kvetny, Maksim M., Brown, Warren, Liu, Juan, and Wang, Gangli. 2014. "History-dependent ion transport through conical nanopipettes and the implications in energy conversion dynamics at nanoscale interfaces". United States. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4SC02195A. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1265884.
@article{osti_1265884,
title = {History-dependent ion transport through conical nanopipettes and the implications in energy conversion dynamics at nanoscale interfaces},
author = {Li, Yan and Wang, Dengchao and Kvetny, Maksim M. and Brown, Warren and Liu, Juan and Wang, Gangli},
abstractNote = {The dynamics of ion transport at nanostructured substrate–solution interfaces play vital roles in high-density energy conversion, stochastic chemical sensing and biosensing, membrane separation, nanofluidics and fundamental nanoelectrochemistry. Advancements in these applications require a fundamental understanding of ion transport at nanoscale interfaces. The understanding of the dynamic or transient transport, and the key physical process involved, is limited, which contrasts sharply with widely studied steady-state ion transport features at atomic and nanometer scale interfaces. Here we report striking time-dependent ion transport characteristics at nanoscale interfaces in current–potential (I–V) measurements and theoretical analyses. First, a unique non-zero I–V cross-point and pinched I–V curves are established as signatures to characterize the dynamics of ion transport through individual conical nanopipettes. Moreoever, ion transport against a concentration gradient is regulated by applied and surface electrical fields. The concept of ion pumping or separation is demonstrated via the selective ion transport against concentration gradients through individual nanopipettes. Third, this dynamic ion transport process under a predefined salinity gradient is discussed in the context of nanoscale energy conversion in supercapacitor type charging–discharging, as well as chemical and electrical energy conversion. Our analysis of the emerging current–potential features establishes the urgently needed physical foundation for energy conversion employing ordered nanostructures. The elucidated mechanism and established methodology can be generalized into broadly-defined nanoporous materials and devices for improved energy, separation and sensing applications.},
doi = {10.1039/C4SC02195A},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1265884}, journal = {Chemical Science},
issn = {2041-6520},
number = 1,
volume = 6,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Aug 20 00:00:00 EDT 2014},
month = {Wed Aug 20 00:00:00 EDT 2014}
}

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Works referencing / citing this record:

Asymmetric-Fluidic-Reservoirs Induced High Rectification Nanofluidic Diode
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