title: High electrokinetic energy conversion efficiency in charged nanoporous nitrocellulose/sulfonated polystyrene membranes.
abstract: The synthesis, characterization, and electrokinetic energy conversion performance have been investigated experimentally in a charged polymeric membrane based on a blend of nitrocellulose and sulfonated polystyrene. The membrane is characterized by a moderate ion exchange capacity and a relatively porous structure with average pore diameter of 11 nm. With electrokinetic energy conversion, pressure can be converted directly into electric energy and vice versa. From the electrokinetic transport properties, a remarkably large intrinsic maximum efficiency of 46% is found. It is anticipated that the results are an experimental verification of theoretical models that predict high electrokinetic energy conversion efficiency in pores with high permselectivity and hydrodynamic slip flow. Furthermore, the result is a promising step for obtaining efficient low-cost electrokinetic generators and pumps for small or microscale applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering, Aarhus University , Hangoevej 2, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
authors.forename: Sofie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haldrup
authors.forename: Jacopo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Catalano
authors.forename: Michael Ryan
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Grethe Vestergaard
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Jan Skov
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bentien
mesh_terms: D003101:Collodion / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D058608:Nanopores; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D053838:Scattering, Small Angle; D013450:Sulfones / Q000737:chemistry*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011137:Polystyrenes; D013450:Sulfones; D003101:Collodion
keywords: Polymer membranes; electrokinetic energy conversion; membrane morphology; transport properties