The dependence of infiltration pressure and volume in zeolite Y on potassium chloride concentration

In a previous work we developed a volume-memory liquid that can expand or shrink significantly as the temperature varies. The working mechanism is based on the thermally induced infiltration and defiltration of an electrolyte solution in the nanopores. In the current study, we investigate the influence of electrolyte concentration on the infiltration behavior, as well as its dependence on temperature. The testing data show that, as the electrolyte concentration varies, the effective interfacial tension changes rapidly. This phenomenon can be attributed to the amplification effect of nanopore surfaces on the solid–liquid interaction. It provides a scientific basis for developing smart liquids for various temperature and pressure ranges. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)