Osmotic Energy Generation in Bioinspired Nanochannels Grafted With Polymer

We investigated osmotic energy generation in a bioinspired nanochannel with grafted polyelectrolyte layer (PEL) by varying the porosity of the PEL. Using finite element based numerical solver, we solved the governing transport equations numerically. In the limiting scenario, we validated our numerical model using theoretical result. We thoroughly studied the cationic concentration field, axial electric field, cationic and anionic current, transference number, net current, diffused potential, maximum power density, and maximum energy conversion efficiency by altering the PEL porosity and the concentration of salt in the left‐side reservoir. Together with the changes in reservoir concentration, we found that the PEL porosity significantly influences the axial electric field intensity and cationic concentration field. For the reservoir concentration below the critical limit, it was found that the power density increases with PEL porosity. The highest energy conversion efficiency, on the other hand, was shown to be decreasing as the polyelectrolyte’s porosity increased. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the effects of polyelectrolyte porosity on osmotic energy generation and may aid in the design of high‐power density renewable energy generation devices.