Electricity generation from a Ni-Al layered double hydroxide-based flexible generator driven by natural water evaporation

Natural water evaporation (NWE) is spontaneous and ubiquitous process that absorbs ambient thermal energy. Scavenging ambient thermal energy into electricity by NWE provides a promising approach to supply power for self-powered and low-cost devices and systems. Suitable materials and techniques are required to use this ubiquitous natural process for electricity generation. Herein, a continuous NWE-driven flexible generator is fabricated by painting Ni-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) on a polyethylene terephthalate substrate at room temperature. The generator operates through an NWE-driven gradient of water that flows across the naturally formed surface-charged nanochannels between Ni-Al LDH flakes; i.e., the streaming potential mechanism. The output electrical characteristics of the device can be controlled by adjusting the environmental moisture and wind velocity. Continuous electricity output with a comparatively high power density of 16.1 μW cm−3 is achieved from a generator. The generator can maintain a stable output power under deformation. The output power of the generator can be scaled up to continuously power integrated circuit devices such as a digital calculator. Given the easy fabrication process of this flexible NWE-driven generator using an environmentally friendly LDH and its continuous electricity output with relatively high power density, this generator represents an important step towards practical green ambient energy harvesting.