Review on carbon-based materials for moisture-induced energy harvesting

Moisture-enabled electricity generation (MEG) is an emerging energy-harvesting technology that continuously generates electricity by interacting with ubiquitous ambient water vapor in a pollution-free manner. Its integrable and miniaturizable nature makes it a promising candidate for future scalable and decentralized energy systems. This comprehensive review examines the evolution of MEG devices, focusing on the underlying mechanisms of moisture-material interactions, particularly ion diffusion and streaming potentials. We also provide a detailed analysis of novel carbon-based hygroscopic materials by discussing their types, characteristics, and merits/drawbacks. Finally, we summarize recent advances in MEG applications across various fields.