Publications Details

Programmable Nanocomposite Membranes for Ion-Based Electrical Energy Storage

Spoerke, Erik D.; Small, Leo J.; Vandelinder, Virginia A.; Rempe, Susan; Wheeler, David R.; Bachand, George B.; Brumbach, Michael T.; McKenzie, Bonnie B.

This report describes a new, bio-inspired approach to electrical energy storage, based on the generation, maintenance, and discharge of ion concentration gradients. This approach was investigated as part of a Laboratory Directed Research and Development program at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM between October 2012 and September 2015. In particular, this report describes the development of ion-selective nanoporous membranes, controlled through pore morphology and Sandia-developed electrochemical functionalization. In addition, it describes a potential avenue to functionalize synthetic polymer membranes in a way that facilitates oriented ion pump binding to polymer surfaces. Finally, it highlights a number of new computational findings central to the understanding and ultimate design of synthetic ion channels and ion gates needed for biomimetic ion-based electrochemical energy storage.