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Self-sustained electricity generator driven by the compatible integration of ambient moisture adsorption and evaporation

Author

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  • Jin Tan

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Sunmiao Fang

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Zhuhua Zhang

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
    Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Jun Yin

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Luxian Li

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Xiang Wang

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Wanlin Guo

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
    Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

Abstract

Generating sustainable electricity from ambient humidity and natural evaporation has attracted tremendous interest recently as it requires no extra mechanical energy input and is deployable across all weather and geography conditions. Here, we present a device prototype for enhanced power generation from ambient humidity. This prototype uses both heterogenous materials assembled from a LiCl-loaded cellulon paper to facilitate moisture adsorption and a carbon-black-loaded cellulon paper to promote water evaporation. Exposing such a centimeter-sized device to ambient humidity can produce voltages of around 0.78 V and a current of around 7.5 μA, both of which can be sustained for more than 10 days. The enhanced electric output and durability are due to the continuous water flow that is directed by evaporation through numerous, negatively charged channels within the cellulon papers. The voltage and current exhibit an excellent scaling behavior upon device integration to sufficiently power commercial devices including even cell phones. The results open a promising prospect of sustainable electricity generation based on a synergy between spontaneous moisture adsorption and water evaporation.

Suggested Citation

  • Jin Tan & Sunmiao Fang & Zhuhua Zhang & Jun Yin & Luxian Li & Xiang Wang & Wanlin Guo, 2022. "Self-sustained electricity generator driven by the compatible integration of ambient moisture adsorption and evaporation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-31221-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31221-7
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    1. Jiao, Shipu & Li, Yang & Li, Jingyu & Zhang, Yihao & Maryam, Bushra & Xu, Shuo & Liu, Miao & Li, Jiaxuan & Liu, Wanxin & Liu, Xianhua, 2024. "Water-enabled electricity generation on film structures: From materials to applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    2. Chenyue Guo & Huajie Tang & Pengfei Wang & Qihao Xu & Haodan Pan & Xinyu Zhao & Fan Fan & Tingxian Li & Dongliang Zhao, 2024. "Radiative cooling assisted self-sustaining and highly efficient moisture energy harvesting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Puying Li & Yajie Hu & Wenya He & Bing Lu & Haiyan Wang & Huhu Cheng & Liangti Qu, 2023. "Multistage coupling water-enabled electric generator with customizable energy output," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Qiang, Ziyi & Cui, Peilin & Tian, Chenyun & Liu, Runkeng & Shen, Hong & Liu, Zhenyu, 2023. "Enhancing power generation for carbon black film device based on optimization of liquid capillary flow," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 351(C).
    5. Guoping Ren & Jie Ye & Qichang Hu & Dong Zhang & Yong Yuan & Shungui Zhou, 2024. "Growth of electroautotrophic microorganisms using hydrovoltaic energy through natural water evaporation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    6. Su Yang & Lei Zhang & Jianfeng Mao & Jianmiao Guo & Yang Chai & Jianhua Hao & Wei Chen & Xiaoming Tao, 2024. "Green moisture-electric generator based on supramolecular hydrogel with tens of milliamp electricity toward practical applications," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.

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