A Nanoconfined Water-Ion Coordination Network for Flexible Energy- Dissipation Devices

Y Gao and MZ Li and C Zhan and HZ Zhang and MT Yin and WY Lu and BX Xu, ADVANCED MATERIALS, 35 (2023).

DOI: 10.1002/adma.202303759

Water-ion interaction in a nanoconfined environment that deeply constrains spatial freedoms of local atomistic motion with unconventional coupling mechanisms beyond that in a free, bulk state is essential to spark designs of a broad spectrum of nanofluidic devices with unique properties and functionalities. Here, it is reported that the interaction between ions and water molecules in a hydrophobic nanopore forms a coordination network with an interaction density that is nearly fourfold that of the bulk counterpart. Such strong interaction facilitates the connectivity of the water-ion network and is uncovered by corroborating the formation of ion clusters and the reduction of particle dynamics. A liquid-nanopore energy-dissipation system is designed and demonstrated in both molecular simulations and experiments that the formed coordination network controls the outflow of confined electrolytes along with a pressure reduction, capable of providing flexible protection for personnel and devices and instrumentations against external mechanical impact and attack. Water-ion interaction in a nanoconfined environment can significantly promote the interaction between ions and water molecules. Such a strong interaction facilitates the formation of ion clusters and limits particle dynamics. Based on this mechanism, a liquid-nanopore energy-dissipation system capable of providing flexible protection to personnel and devices and instrumentations against mechanical impacts and attacks is designed.image

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