Ultrathin Ti3C2Tx (MXene) membrane for pressure-driven electrokinetic power generation

Abstract Harvesting energy from natural or daily mechanical movements is an economic and environment-friendly way to alleviate energy shortage. Here we demonstrate a two-dimensional (2D) electrokinetic energy conversion device based on ultrathin laminated Ti3C2Tx membrane (TCM) driven by pressure gradients. The applied pressure, pH, lateral size of Ti3C2Tx nanosheets and membrane thickness were investigated. The results revealed that these parameters could remarkably regulate the electricity generation with TCMs. The TCMs with abundant negatively charged 2D nanocapillaries produced high streaming current density of 1.3 mA m−2 and output power density of 0.29 μW m−2 under 5 kPa in 0.01 M aqueous solution of sodium chloride. The MXene membrane generators present good solution compatibility for electrolytes in different alkali metal ions and wide pH range (4–10). This work extends the application of MXenes providing a new platform for energy conversion from natural and daily-life environment.