Litcius/Paper detail

Long‐Lasting Moisture Energy Scavenging in Dry Ambient Air Empowered by a Salt Concentration‐Gradient Cationic Hydrogel

Eunjong Kim, Xiaoting Ma, Jiaming Zhou, Jingyi Gao, Aohua Liu, Yu Ru, Yoonseob Kim, Seungkyu Lee, Dong‐Myeong Shin

2025Advanced Functional Materials8 citationsDOIOpen Access PDF

Abstract

Abstract Converting ambient moisture into electric power is attractive as a next‐generation energy harvesting technology, serving as a countermeasure to overwhelming energy demands due to its sustainability and ubiquitous nature. However, achieving a long‐lasting and high density of electrical power generation at low humidity is challenging. Here, synergizing a water flow and an auxiliary anion migration in tandem with an embedded ion flow in a salt concentration‐gradient cationic gel, these challenges are tackled and developed a moisture‐activated electricity generator (MEG) with longevity (>50 days), low energy loss, and adequate power of 13.8 mW m −2 at low (30%) relative humidity. Witha stacking strategy with combinations of serial and parallel configurations, the electrical output of the MEG module can cover practical electric devices with a broad range of power consumption, unveiling the potential of MEG to power practical appliances sustainably and omnipresently.

Topics & Concepts

ScavengingMaterials scienceCationic polymerizationMoistureSalt (chemistry)Chemical engineeringComposite materialPolymer chemistryOrganic chemistryChemistryAntioxidantEngineeringAdvanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting MaterialsNanomaterials and Printing TechnologiesSurface Modification and Superhydrophobicity