Evaluation of Nanoporous
Polymer Membranes for Electrokinetic Energy Conversion in Power Applications
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Abstract
Electrokinetic energy conversion for pumping or power
generation has for the past decade regained attention with focus on
applications within pumping in nanofluidics or microgenerators. Little
experimental work has been published and mostly in relation to clean-room
fabricated nanopores. In the present study, it is suggested that electrokinetic
energy conversion has a potential as future decentralized electrical
energy sources, if polymer membranes are used. On the basis of new
electrokinetic measurements and literature data, we have made a systematic
study of commercially available nanoporous polymer membranes and found
a promising first law efficiency of 5.5% in one polymer–electrolyte
system. It is likely that future more rigorous and targeted studies
will find even larger conversion efficiencies