Enhanced light-driven ion transport via graphene oxide composite membranes for ionic power harvesting
Journal article, 2025

In nature, biological active ion transport plays a pivotal role in efficient energy harvesting. However, replicating this process in artificial systems to achieve comparable performance remains a significant challenge. Here, we demonstrate a substantial enhancement in light-driven active ion transport by intercalating one-dimensional (1D) carboxymethyl cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) into the layers of aligned two-dimensional (2D) graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets, forming GO composite membranes (GOCMs). The introduction of CNFs increases the interlayer spacing and modifies both the surface and the confined channel chemistry of the membrane. Under visible light illumination, the local electric potential and ion conductivity are significantly enhanced due to the optimal channel height, improved ion selectivity, and accelerated electron consumption. These improvements enable high-efficiency ionic power harnessing in equilibrium electrolyte solutions. Directional cationic transport from the illuminated to the unilluminated side was observed, with the GOCM containing 30 wt% CNFs achieving a peak photocurrent of 2.2 mu A cm-2, which is more than four times higher than that of a pure GO membrane (GOM). As a result of the enhanced light-driven ion transport, the system achieved a high-power density of 0.15 mW m-2 in equilibrium electrolyte solutions. This innovative strategy, based on photoinduced active ion transport, offers a novel approach for biomimetic energy harvesting.

Bio-inspired materials

Light-driven

Energy conversion

Ion transport

2D nanofluidics

Author

Yue Guo

Hebei Normal University

Xinyi Du

Hebei Normal University

Junchao Liu

Xian Univ Technol

Xinyi Zhang

Hebei Normal University

Jiansheng Chen

Hebei Normal University

Zini Ma

Hebei Normal University

Moran Wang

Hebei Normal University

Piyatep Ngernklay

Chalmers, Industrial and Materials Science, Materials and manufacture

Xuran Liu

North China Institute of Aerospace Engineering

Jinming Zhou

Hebei Normal University

Jinhua Sun

Chalmers, Industrial and Materials Science, Materials and manufacture

Pan Jia

Hebei Normal University

Separation and Purification Technology

1383-5866 (ISSN) 18733794 (eISSN)

Vol. 363 132017

2D material-based technology for industrial applications (2D-TECH)

VINNOVA (2019-00068), 2020-05-01 -- 2024-12-31.

GKN Aerospace Sweden (2D-tech), 2021-01-01 -- 2024-12-31.

VINNOVA (2024-03852), 2023-11-01 -- 2029-12-31.

Vertical Graphene for Aluminium-Ion Batteries

Swedish Research Council (VR) (2021-05924), 2022-01-01 -- 2025-12-31.

GAIA - Graphene application in industrial facility

VINNOVA (2021-05121), 2022-03-01 -- 2025-02-28.

Janus-like, Asymmetric graphene Nanosheets for Ultrafiltration and Sieving.

Swedish Research Council (VR) (2017-04456), 2018-01-01 -- 2021-12-31.

Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)

Materials Chemistry

Condensed Matter Physics

Physical Chemistry

DOI

10.1016/j.seppur.2025.132017

More information

Latest update

3/26/2025