Enhanced voltage generation through electrolyte flow on liquid-filled surfaces

The generation of electrical voltage through the flow of an electrolyte over a charged surface may be used for energy transduction. Here, we show that enhanced electrical potential differences (i.e., streaming potential) may be obtained through the flow of salt water on liquid-filled surfaces that a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature communications 2018-10, Vol.9 (1), p.4050-7, Article 4050
Main Authors: Fan, B., Bhattacharya, A., Bandaru, P. R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
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Charging
Dielectric constant
Electric potential
Electric power
Electrokinetics
Electrolytes
Energy transduction
Figure of merit
Humanities and Social Sciences
multidisciplinary
Power sources
Saline water
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Streaming potential
Surface charge
Voltage
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Summary:The generation of electrical voltage through the flow of an electrolyte over a charged surface may be used for energy transduction. Here, we show that enhanced electrical potential differences (i.e., streaming potential) may be obtained through the flow of salt water on liquid-filled surfaces that are infiltrated with a lower dielectric constant liquid, such as oil, to harness electrolyte slip and associated surface charge. A record-high figure of merit, in terms of the voltage generated per unit applied pressure, of 0.043 mV Pa −1 is obtained through the use of the liquid-filled surfaces. In comparison with air-filled surfaces, the figure of merit associated with the liquid-filled surface increases by a factor of 1.4. These results lay the basis for innovative surface charge engineering methodology for the study of electrokinetic phenomena at the microscale, with possible application in new electrical power sources. Superhydrophobic surfaces are expected to increase streaming potential, but are hindered by the presence of air. Here the authors enhance streaming potential by flowing high-dielectric salt water over liquid-filled surfaces infiltrated with low-dielectric liquid, harnessing electric slip and surface charge.
ISSN:2041-1723
2041-1723
DOI:10.1038/s41467-018-06297-9