Lab Electrospinning System| A Flexible Hydrovoltaic Device with Strain-Induced lonSelectivity

Challenge: Due to low redox potential, rich properties, and wide availability, aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIB) have attracted extensive research. However, their commercialization is severely hindered by negative side reactions, catastrophic dendrite growth, and uneven Zn2+ diffusion.

Approach: The research team led by Researcher Ting Zhang from Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, developed a stretchable ion-selective sensing device by assembling ordered silk fibroin-coated polyurethane/polyacrylonitrile nanofibers (SF@PU/PAN). Compared with traditional rigid hydropower devices, the molecular coupling advantages of various polymers were verified in interface design.

Innovation 1: Through a strong molecular binding strategy between silk and stretchable nanochannels, high stretchability (40%), large surface potential (-55 mV), and stability (30-day storage in air/ionic solution/DI water) were achieved for the first time.

Innovation 2: The structure-activity relationship between water transport efficiency and ion selectivity of nanochannel size was studied in situ, demonstrating a negative correlation between these two factors within the photovoltaic effect range.

Innovation 3: Finally, based on programmable ion sensing, a 3D ion response surface was successfully constructed, achieving dual-mode decoupling of ion species and concentration with over 97% accuracy.

https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202508734