Transport phenomena of molecules and ions inside porous materials are paramount in various fields, ranging from energy storage and transformation to molecular separation. In advanced energy storage devices, like supercapacitors and batteries, ions are confined in small pores. Nanoconfinement effects change the ion properties and enhance the performance, vital for saving resources and energy. So far, the static properties of nanoconfined ions are thoroughly studied but there is little known about the dynamic properties of ions in nanopores, mainly attributed to the lack of suitable experimental model systems.
Here, the dynamic properties of nanoconfined ions will be explored by using well-defined, tunable model systems. This is realized by combining two exclusive material classes: ionic liquids, ILs, which are room-temperature molten salts of organic molecules, and films of metal-organic frameworks, MOFs. MOF films provide the variable, crystalline, scaffold-like container for the ion confinement. An applied electric field will act on the nanoconfined ILs, causing its directed movements. Controlling the dynamic properties of the nanoconfined ions will lead to myriad advances of safety and efficiency concerns, including enhanced charging rates of energy storage devices.
In a new approach, we will also show that nanoconfined ions provide unprecedented functionalities. Based on the functional uniformity of IL@MOF membranes, the nano-level control of the confined ions will be used to regulate macroscopic gas fluxes with ultrafast switching rates.
This project aims to enhance the potentials of electrochemical technologies in energy storage, in sensors and in iontronics. The benefits will not only impact the improvement of speed, quality and control in existing technologies, but it will change the way we look at mobile confined ions and launch us into new methods of using nanomaterials.
