Publications Details

Optimizing multiscale networks for transient transport in nanoporous materials

Nilson, Robert H.; Griffiths, Stewart K.

Hierarchical nanoporous materials afford the opportunity to combine the high surface area and functionality of nanopores with the superior charge/discharge characteristics of wider transport channels. In the present paper we optimize the apertures and spacing of a family of transport channels providing access to a surrounding nanoporous matrix during recharge/discharge cycles of materials intended for storage of gas or electric charge. A diffusive transport model is used to describe alternative processes of viscous gas flow, Knudsen gas flow, and ion diffusion. The coupled transport equations for the nanoporous matrix and transport channels are linearized and solved analytically for a periodic variation in external gas pressure or ion density using a separation-of-variables approach in the complex domain. Channel apertures and spacing are optimized to achieve maximum inflow/outflow from the functional matrix material for a fixed system volume.