Oxygen-Synergized All-Fiber Hydrovoltaics With Milliamp Output Toward Self-Powered Breathable Electronics

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Energy Harvesting
• Wearable Technology

Background:

• Wearable technology requires decentralized energy sources.
• Conventional hydrovoltaic power generators (HPGs) have limited electrical output.
• Water evaporation is a promising environmental stimulus for energy harvesting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-performance, all-fiber HPG for sustainable self-powered electronics.
• To investigate a dual-pathway synergistic electricity generation mechanism.
• To demonstrate the practical application of the HPG in wearable devices.

Main Methods:

• Constructed an ion-enriched storage electrode and induced an oxygen-involved reaction.
• Utilized a hierarchical structural configuration for the HPG.
• Employed in situ characterization and theoretical calculations to verify the mechanism.

Main Results:

• Achieved a power density of 164.5 µW cm^-2 and current density of 1.25 mA cm^-2.
• Demonstrated excellent sustainability with 88% output retention after 150 washing cycles.
• Verified a dual-pathway mechanism involving hydrovoltaic effect and oxygen-involved redox.

Conclusions:

• The developed all-fiber HPG offers superior performance for sustainable self-powered electronics.
• The dual-pathway mechanism significantly enhances electricity generation.
• The HPG can directly power various wearable electronics, showcasing great potential for evaporation energy harvesting.