Sandwiched-structure fabric-based high-performance moisture-enabled electricity generators for the power supply of small electronics.

In response to the energy crisis caused by the exhaustion of fossil energy sources, as well as to combat global warming and achieve carbon neutrality, a sandwiched-structure fabric-based moisture-enabled electricity generator (SMEG) has been developed. Cotton fabric coated with MWCNT and PEDOT: PSS solution is used as the upper and bottom electrodes, while the acid-treated cotton fabric with coating PVA and HCl hydrogel electrolyte serves as the middle layer. A single SMEG can generate a maximum open-circuit voltage (V) of 0.44 V and a maximum short-circuit current (I) of 30 μA. When a drop of LiCl is dripped on one side of SMEGs, the maximum V and I increases to 0.57 V and 66 μA, respectively. The decline in output performance slows down when LiCl is applied. The V increases almost linearly in series and reaches 3.55 V when six SMEGs are connected, while the I increases linearly in parallel and reaches 204 μA when six SMEGs are connected. The maximum power density of a single SMEG yields 0.29 μW/cm with an external resistance of 1 kΩ. The series connection of six SMEGs successfully lit an LED and a calculator under ambient humidity conditions, demonstrating their potential application in small electronics.