Abstract
Realizing the practical application of osmotic power remains a formidable challenge. Despite recent advancements, the feasibility of osmotic power for portable electronics is still uncertain, primarily due to limited power output and portability issues. Enhancing both ion selectivity and permeability is critical for achieving highly efficient osmotic power. Recent advancements with various nanoconfined materials and structures demonstrate significant potential for optimizing these parameters. This review delves into the key factors affecting osmotic power conversion and ion dynamics within nanoconfined structures, including surface charge, geometric configuration, and external stimuli. It systematically examines the applications of one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional nanoconfined materials in osmotic power generation. Hierarchical structures, ubiquitous in natural organisms for efficient mass transport, and ions with distinctive dynamic properties in nanoconfined systems, present opportunities to enhance osmotic power generation efficiency by optimizing pathways for mass transport and ion dynamics. Integrating enhanced mass transport from nano-hierarchical structures with improved ion dynamics could herald a new era of highly efficient osmotic power generation.