Radiative cooling assisted self-sustaining and highly efficient moisture energy harvesting

Chenyue Guo, Huajie Tang, Pengfei Wang, Qihao Xu, Haodan Pan, Xinyu Zhao, Fan Fan, Tingxian Li () and Dongliang Zhao ()
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Chenyue Guo: Southeast University
Huajie Tang: Southeast University
Pengfei Wang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Qihao Xu: Southeast University
Haodan Pan: Southeast University
Xinyu Zhao: Southeast University
Fan Fan: Southeast University
Tingxian Li: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Dongliang Zhao: Southeast University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Harvesting electricity from ubiquitous water vapor represents a promising route to alleviate the energy crisis. However, existing studies rarely comprehensively consider the impact of natural environmental fluctuations on electrical output. Here, we demonstrate a bilayer polymer enabling self-sustaining and highly efficient moisture-electric generation from the hydrological cycle by establishing a stable internal directed water/ion flow through thermal exchange with the ambient environment. Specifically, the radiative cooling effect of the hydrophobic top layer prevents the excessive daytime evaporation from solar absorption while accelerating nighttime moisture sorption. The introduction of LiCl into the bottom hygroscopic ionic hydrogel enhances moisture sorption capacity and facilitates ion transport, thus ensuring efficient energy conversion. A single device unit (1 cm2) can continuously generate a voltage of ~0.88 V and a current of ~306 μA, delivering a maximum power density of ~51 μW cm−2 at 25 °C and 70% relative humidity (RH). The device has been demonstrated to operate steadily outdoors for continuous 6 days.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50396-9

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