Abstract:
Electrochemical systems and nanofluidic transport lie at the crossroads of fundamental science and emerging technologies within the water–energy nexus. At small scales, the interplay between transport mechanisms and interfacial chemistry becomes a key driver of performance in numerous applications. Thus, grasping the underlying interfacial physics and chemistry enables a more rational design and improved control of electrochemical and membrane systems. Beyond conventional descriptions, nanoscale transport exhibit non-classical behaviors—such as nonlinear responses or confinement-induced effects—that can be harnessed to overcome long-standing limitations. Recent advances shed new light on how thin polarization layers at solid–liquid interfaces can be controlled and exploited, offering both a deeper understanding of interfacial physico-chemistry and novel strategies for addressing critical challenges in sustainable water treatment and energy conversion.
