High output power moist-electric generator based on synergistic nanoarchitectonics for effective ion regulation

Moisture is ubiquitous in nature and life processes and contains huge amounts of energy. Moist-electric generation is an emerging energy technology that collects energy from the environment and converts it into electrical energy through the interaction of moisture with materials. However, the low power density of moist electric generators (MEG) hinders their further application, and improving the performance of MEG devices remains a challenge. Herein, we propose a synergistic nanoarchitectonics strategy to fabricate MEG by optimizing the paths of the ion generation, transmission and interception processes to obtain excellent power output performance. Highly hydrophilic poly (4-styrensulfonic acid) nano film was used to cover the surface of the porous polyurethane foam framework to form PU@PSS active composite with abundant movable ions, which also aided in water diffusion and provided evaporation channels. Gridded aluminum and PEDOT:PSS nano layer were used as the top electrode and interception layer because of their metallic activities and hydrogen ion adsorption capacities, respectively. Due to its effective water circulation and ion regulation properties, the MEG worked in an all-weather environment and converted energy from air moisture into high-power electrical energy. In addition, the MEG converted ambient heat energy to increase the efficiency of ion transport, thereby increasing the output power. A single MEG spontaneously produced a maximum open-circuit voltage of 1.25 V·cm−2 and a short-circuit current of 150 μA·cm−2 in a heated condition, and provided an ultra-high output power of 1.875 W·m−2 which is an order of magnitude higher than the output power provided by similar MEG devices. Thus, the strategy adopted achieved an ultra-high power output of moist-electric generation, which will inspire the development of next-generation MEG.