Electricity generation from a Ni-Al layered double hydroxide-based flexible generator driven by natural water evaporation. (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Jingchang; Li, Peida; Qu, Jiangying; Lu, Xue; Xie, Yaqiao; Gao, Feng; Li, Yue; Gang, Mingfei; Feng, Qiuju; Liang, Hongwei; Xia, Xiaochuan; Li, Chengren; Xu, Shichong; Bian, Jiming
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 57(2019)
• Page Start: 269
• Page End: 278
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Natural water evaporation driven -- Ni-Al layered double hydroxide -- Streaming potential -- Continuous and flexible generator -- Room-temperature printing; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.12.042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: 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. Graphical abstract: A natural water evaporation driven flexible generator is fabricated by painting Ni-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) on a polyethylene terephthalate substrate at room temperature. The maximum output power density is reach up to 16.1 μW cm −3 . It can work under deformation without sacrificing its stable output performance. The output power of the generator can be scaled up to continuously power the integrated circuit devices. fx1 Highlights: Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) is firstly explored for natural water evaporation (NWE) driven generators. A continuous NWE-driven flexible generator is fabricated by painting Ni-Al LDH on polyethylene terephthalate. The NWE driven generator can bear deformation without sacrificing its output performance. Integrated circuit device is continuously powered by NWE driven Ni-Al LDH generators.