Evaporation Driven Hydrovoltaic Generator Based on Nano-Alumina-Coated Polyethylene Terephthalate Film

Collecting energy from the ambient environment through green and sustainable methods is highly expected to alleviate pollution and energy problems worldwide. Here, we report a facile and flexible hydrovoltaic generator capable of utilizing natural water evaporation for sustainable electricity produc...

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Main Authors: Shipu Jiao, Yihao Zhang, Yang Li, Bushra Maryam, Shuo Xu, Wanxin Liu, Miao Liu, Jiaxuan Li, Xu Zhang, Xianhua Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:Polymers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/20/4079
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author Shipu Jiao
Yihao Zhang
Yang Li
Bushra Maryam
Shuo Xu
Wanxin Liu
Miao Liu
Jiaxuan Li
Xu Zhang
Xianhua Liu
author_facet Shipu Jiao
Yihao Zhang
Yang Li
Bushra Maryam
Shuo Xu
Wanxin Liu
Miao Liu
Jiaxuan Li
Xu Zhang
Xianhua Liu
author_sort Shipu Jiao
collection DOAJ
description Collecting energy from the ambient environment through green and sustainable methods is highly expected to alleviate pollution and energy problems worldwide. Here, we report a facile and flexible hydrovoltaic generator capable of utilizing natural water evaporation for sustainable electricity production. The generator was fabricated by coating nano-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> on a twistable polyethylene terephthalate film. An open circuit voltage of 1.7 V was obtained on a piece of centimeter-sized hydrovoltaic generator under ambient conditions. The supercapacitor charged by the hydrovoltaic device can power a mini-motor efficiently. Moreover, by expanding the size or connecting it in series/parallel, the energy output of the generator can be further improved. Finally, the influence factors and the mechanism for power generation were primarily investigated. Electrical energy is produced by the migration of water through charged capillary channels. The environmental conditions, the properties of the solution and the morphology of the film have important effects on the electrical performance. This study is anticipated to offer enlightenment into designing novel hydrovoltaic devices, providing diverse energy sources for various self-powered devices and systems.
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spelling doaj.art-be669164fbec4ee7a1224c79418447632023-11-19T17:50:51ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602023-10-011520407910.3390/polym15204079Evaporation Driven Hydrovoltaic Generator Based on Nano-Alumina-Coated Polyethylene Terephthalate FilmShipu Jiao0Yihao Zhang1Yang Li2Bushra Maryam3Shuo Xu4Wanxin Liu5Miao Liu6Jiaxuan Li7Xu Zhang8Xianhua Liu9School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, ChinaCollecting energy from the ambient environment through green and sustainable methods is highly expected to alleviate pollution and energy problems worldwide. Here, we report a facile and flexible hydrovoltaic generator capable of utilizing natural water evaporation for sustainable electricity production. The generator was fabricated by coating nano-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> on a twistable polyethylene terephthalate film. An open circuit voltage of 1.7 V was obtained on a piece of centimeter-sized hydrovoltaic generator under ambient conditions. The supercapacitor charged by the hydrovoltaic device can power a mini-motor efficiently. Moreover, by expanding the size or connecting it in series/parallel, the energy output of the generator can be further improved. Finally, the influence factors and the mechanism for power generation were primarily investigated. Electrical energy is produced by the migration of water through charged capillary channels. The environmental conditions, the properties of the solution and the morphology of the film have important effects on the electrical performance. This study is anticipated to offer enlightenment into designing novel hydrovoltaic devices, providing diverse energy sources for various self-powered devices and systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/20/4079Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>polyethylene terephthalate filmevaporationelectric double layerhydrovoltaic effect
spellingShingle Shipu Jiao
Yihao Zhang
Yang Li
Bushra Maryam
Shuo Xu
Wanxin Liu
Miao Liu
Jiaxuan Li
Xu Zhang
Xianhua Liu
Evaporation Driven Hydrovoltaic Generator Based on Nano-Alumina-Coated Polyethylene Terephthalate Film
Polymers
Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>
polyethylene terephthalate film
evaporation
electric double layer
hydrovoltaic effect
title Evaporation Driven Hydrovoltaic Generator Based on Nano-Alumina-Coated Polyethylene Terephthalate Film
title_full Evaporation Driven Hydrovoltaic Generator Based on Nano-Alumina-Coated Polyethylene Terephthalate Film
title_fullStr Evaporation Driven Hydrovoltaic Generator Based on Nano-Alumina-Coated Polyethylene Terephthalate Film
title_full_unstemmed Evaporation Driven Hydrovoltaic Generator Based on Nano-Alumina-Coated Polyethylene Terephthalate Film
title_short Evaporation Driven Hydrovoltaic Generator Based on Nano-Alumina-Coated Polyethylene Terephthalate Film
title_sort evaporation driven hydrovoltaic generator based on nano alumina coated polyethylene terephthalate film
topic Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>
polyethylene terephthalate film
evaporation
electric double layer
hydrovoltaic effect
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/20/4079
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