Osmotic power generation based on nanoconfined materials

Realizing the practical application of osmotic power remains a formidable challenge. Despite recent advancements, the feasibility of osmotic power for portable electronics is still uncertain, primarily due to limited power output and portability issues. Enhancing both ion selectivity and permeability is critical for achieving highly efficient osmotic power. Recent advancements with various nanoconfined materials and structures demonstrate significant potential for optimizing these parameters. This review delves into the key factors affecting osmotic power conversion and ion dynamics within nanoconfined structures, including surface charge, geometric configuration, and external stimuli. It systematically examines the applications of one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional nanoconfined materials in osmotic power generation. Hierarchical structures, ubiquitous in natural organisms for efficient mass transport, and ions with distinctive dynamic properties in nanoconfined systems, present opportunities to enhance osmotic power generation efficiency by optimizing pathways for mass transport and ion dynamics. Integrating enhanced mass transport from nano-hierarchical structures with improved ion dynamics could herald a new era of highly efficient osmotic power generation.

The most recent progress in osmotic power generation based on various hierarchically structured materials has been reviewed, analyzing key factors such as surface charge and geometric configuration that could significantly boost both ion selectivity and permeability. Integrating enhanced mass transport from nano-hierarchical structures with improved ion dynamics could herald a new era of highly efficient osmotic power generation.

Despite the significant challenges of osmotic power in practical applications for portable electronics, recent advancements suggest increasing feasibility through the optimization of various nanoconfined materials with hierarchical structures, particularly in enhancing ion selectivity and permeability simultaneously. The hierarchical structures of these materials and optimized ion dynamics offer potential for efficient unipolar ion transport, paving the way for future highly efficient osmotic power generation.