Green moisture-electric generator based on supramolecular hydrogel with tens of milliamp electricity toward practical applications

Su Yang, Lei Zhang, Jianfeng Mao, Jianmiao Guo, Yang Chai, Jianhua Hao, Wei Chen and Xiaoming Tao ()
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Su Yang: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Lei Zhang: University of Science and Technology of China
Jianfeng Mao: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Jianmiao Guo: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Yang Chai: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Jianhua Hao: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Wei Chen: Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
Xiaoming Tao: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Moisture-electric generators (MEGs) has emerged as promising green technology to achieve carbon neutrality in next-generation energy suppliers, especially combined with ecofriendly materials. Hitherto, challenges remain for MEGs as direct power source in practical applications due to low and intermittent electric output. Here we design a green MEG with high direct-current electricity by introducing polyvinyl alcohol-sodium alginate-based supramolecular hydrogel as active material. A single unit can generate an improved power density of ca. 0.11 mW cm−2, a milliamp-scale short-circuit current density of ca. 1.31 mA cm−2 and an open-circuit voltage of ca. 1.30 V. Such excellent electricity is mainly attributed to enhanced moisture absorption and remained water gradient to initiate ample ions transport within hydrogel by theoretical calculation and experiments. Notably, an enlarged current of ca. 65 mA is achieved by a parallel-integrated MEG bank. The scalable MEGs can directly power many commercial electronics in real-life scenarios, such as charging smart watch, illuminating a household bulb, driving a digital clock for one month. This work provides new insight into constructing green, high-performance and scalable energy source for Internet-of-Things and wearable applications.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47652-3

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