Haibo Zhang

Efficient transmembrane ion transport is critical for osmotic energy conversion. Conventional approaches often rely on external energy inputs, such as light or heat, to drive ions across membranes, yet these methods are neither sustainable nor scalable. A fundamental challenge remains in designing ion channels with intrinsically low energy barriers and built-in driving forces to enable continuous and enhanced ion permeation. Herein, we present a strategy for fabricating ion transport channels equipped with an inherent driving force through the precise distribution of charge-tunable copolymers within graphene oxide membranes. This design results in an asymmetrically charged membrane featuring a multilevel internal electric field, which actively energizes ions and multiplicatively enhances their transmembrane flux. Synergistically combining low energy barriers with continuous ion acceleration by the internal electric field, the optimized membrane achieves a maximum power density of up to 40.2 W m-², an approximately 60-fold improvement over pristine graphene oxide membranes. This work offers a promising avenue for advancing ion transport systems and developing high-performance salinity gradient energy harvesters.

Efficient transmembrane ion transport is critical for osmotic energy conversion. Conventional approaches often rely on external energy inputs, such as light or heat, to drive ions across membranes, yet these methods are neither sustainable nor scalable. A fundamental challenge remains in designing ion channels with intrinsically low energy barriers and built-in driving forces to enable continuous and enhanced ion permeation. Herein, we present a strategy for fabricating ion transport channels equipped with an inherent driving force through the precise distribution of charge-tunable copolymers within graphene oxide membranes. This design results in an asymmetrically charged membrane featuring a multilevel internal electric field, which actively energizes ions and multiplicatively enhances their transmembrane flux. Synergistically combining low energy barriers with continuous ion acceleration by the internal electric field, the optimized membrane achieves a maximum power density of up to 40.2 W m-², an approximately 60-fold improvement over pristine graphene oxide membranes. This work offers a promising avenue for advancing ion transport systems and developing high-performance salinity gradient energy harvesters.

Interface thermal resistance is the key factor in influencing the thermal conductivity of filler‐reinforced composites. Building a covalent‐bond bridge between the resin and filler effectively reduces the interface thermal resistance by creating thermal transmission pathways. A covalent‐bonded poly (ether‐ether‐ketone)/boron nitride (PEEK/BN) composite (i‐PEEK/BNNS‐FOH) was prepared by functionalizing BN and incorporating it into the in situ polymerization process. With an addition of 30 wt% functionalized BN, the thermal conductivity of i‐PEEK/BNNS‐FOH reached 1.79 W m ⁻¹ K ⁻¹ , an increase of 12% over ungrafted PEEK/BN. Foygel's model calculations proved that the modification of BN reduced interface thermal resistance by 48%. Additionally, the improved interface contributed to better mechanical properties, reaching a tensile strength of 97 MPa with a 10 wt% filler addition. This covalent‐bond bridging strategy highlights modified BN fillers for high‐temperature applications and an efficient method for the preparation of thermally conductive special engineering plastics.

Carbon fiber fabrics reinforced polyether ether ketone (CFF/PEEK) composites show extraordinary mechanical properties which deeply relay on their interfacial properties. Herein, two simple desizing method of acetone and high‐temperature were used to remove sizing agent of CFF. The fiber surface roughness and surface activity increased after desizing, which enhances interfacial wettability between fiber and resin. The interface shear strength (IFSS) measured by micro‐bond test was used to evaluated the interfacial properties. After desizing, the IFSS enhanced from 41.7 to 51.2 MPa, which may be owing to enhanced of interfacial adhesion and mechanical locking between CFF and PEEK. CFF/PEEK laminates were fabricated by a simple film stacking method using hot‐pressing process of CFF and PEEK film. Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) tested by short‐beam method increased from 62.5 to 71.3 MPa, and flexural strength increased from 754.4 to 805.5 MPa, which indicated the fiber‐matrix interface enhanced. Furthermore, forming quality and microscopic failure modes of CFF/PEEK verified fiber‐matrix interface enhanced after removing sizing agent. The interfacial and mechanical properties of CFF/PEEK composites significantly enhanced by using simple and effective desizing method. This study is expected to provide valuable insights into optimizing fiber surface treatments for enhancing durability and reliability of advanced composite materials.Highlights: Acetone and high‐temperature desizing were used to remove sizing agent of CFF. The IFSS of treatment CFF increased over 25% compared with untreated ones. The ILSS and flexural strength of desizing‐CFF/PEEK enhanced notably. The fiber‐matrix interface between desizing‐CFF and PEEK resin enhanced.