Ion-selective membranes: Highly efficient, robust, and superiorly selective

Ion-selective membranes (ISMs) are vital for advanced electrochemical systems like reverse electrodialysis (RED), a promising technology for sustainable energy harvesting. RED directly generates power by mixing two water streams of different salinities using an array of ISM. However, conventional ISMs are limited by issues in selectivity, performance, and long-term stability, impeding commercial adoption. This work introduces a groundbreaking hybrid nanocomposite ISM, developed via direct blending and examined under sever fouling conditions. This work tackles current membrane limitations by harnessing the power of natural resources: humic acid (HA) and montmorillonite (MMT). We thoroughly investigated the roles and intricate chemical interactions of these natural components using molecular dynamics simulations. Our findings reveal that the strong interactions and high affinity between HA and MMT facilitate polymer intercalation, leading to superior ion transport, exceptional monovalent selectivity, high energy conversion efficiency, enhanced mechanical strength. and long-term stability. This sustained performance holds true even under harsh conditions, including exposure to heavy metals and organic fouling. These advancements mark a pivotal step, positioning our developed nanocomposite membrane as a highly efficient, scalable, durable, and cost-effective solution with substantial commercialization potential for RED and other demanding electrochemical applications.