Skip to main content

MultiScale Material Science for Energy and Environment

Logo MultiScale Material Science

MultiScale Materials Science for Energy and Environment

  • Home
  • The Lab
  • People
  • Publications
  • News / Events
  • GDRI
  • Home
  • The Lab
    • The Lab
    • Research
    • Education
    • Amazing People
    • Contact
  • People
  • Publications
  • News / Events
    • News
    • Seminars
    • Conferences
    • Winter School
  • GDRI
    • Presentation

Nanofluidic Osmotic Diodes: Theory and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

TitleNanofluidic Osmotic Diodes: Theory and Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsPicallo CB, Gravelle S, Joly L, Charlaix E, Bocquet L
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume111
Pagination244501
Date PublishedDec-2013
Abstract

Osmosis describes the flow of water across semipermeable membranes powered by the chemical free energy extracted from salinity gradients. While osmosis can be expressed in simple terms via the van ’t Hoff ideal gas formula for the osmotic pressure, it is a complex phenomenon taking its roots in the subtle interactions occurring at the scale of the membrane nanopores. Here we use new opportunities offered by nanofluidic systems to create an osmotic diode exhibiting asymmetric water flow under reversal of osmotic driving. We show that a surface charge asymmetry built on a nanochannel surface leads to nonlinear couplings between water flow and the ion dynamics, which are capable of water flow rectification. This phenomenon opens new opportunities for water purification and complex flow control in nanochannels.

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

DOI10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.244501
  • DOI
  • BibTex
  • RIS

Login using Touchstone
  • MIT
  • CNRS
  • INVESTISSEMENT D'AVENIR
  • CINAM
  • MITEI
  • AMU