The rational design of mechanically robust gel-based moisture-electric generators(MEGs)with broad environmental adaptability is of great significance for the construction of self-powered wearable systems,addressing cr...The rational design of mechanically robust gel-based moisture-electric generators(MEGs)with broad environmental adaptability is of great significance for the construction of self-powered wearable systems,addressing critical challenges in sustainable energy harvesting for practical applications.In this study,we report a high-energy-output MEG based on a microphase-separated double-network ionogel,which contains a physically crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol network,chemically crosslinked poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid)and hygroscopic ionic liquid(BMIMCl).The introduction of ionic liquids leads to microphase separation,resulting in the formation of a solvent-rich phase and a polymer-rich phase within ionogels.In this structure,the solvent-rich phase facilitates stretching and ionic conduction,whereas the polymer-rich phase contributes to the improvement of mechanical strength.The resultant ionogels demonstrate exceptional mechanical robustness featuring a tensile strength of 4.63MPa,501.02%elongation at break,10.81MJm−3 fracture toughness,and<5%hysteresis.More importantly,benefit from the intrinsic wide-temperature tolerance of ionic liquids,the ionogel-based MEGs can operate over a wide humidity(30%-90%relative humidity)and temperature range(−25℃to 55℃),delivering a stabilized output voltage of 0.9-1.25 V and a record short-circuit current density of 539.42μA cm^(−2),outperforming most reported gelbased MEGs.The electricity generation arises from synergistic coupling of humidity-gradient-driven H⁺migration(major output current contribution)and Al electrode oxidation(major output voltage contribution).Through modular integration,50 series-connected units achieved an output of up to 60 V,directly powering commercial electronics,such as smartwatches and calculators.This finding provides a feasible strategy for designing all-weather,mechanically robust,and scalable self-powered systems.展开更多
Efficient light absorption and trapping are of vital importance for the solar water evaporation by hydrogel-based photothermal conversion materials.Conventional strategies are focused on the development of the composi...Efficient light absorption and trapping are of vital importance for the solar water evaporation by hydrogel-based photothermal conversion materials.Conventional strategies are focused on the development of the composition and structure of the hydrogers internal network.In our point of view,the importance of the surface structure of hydrogel has usually been underestimated or ignored.Here inspired by the excellent absorbance and water transportation ability of biological surface structure,the hierarchical structured hydrogel evaporators(HSEs)increased the light absorption,trapping,water transportation and water-air interface,which is the beneficial photothermal conversion and water evaporation.The HSEs showed a rapid evaporation rate of 1.77 kg·m^(-2)·h^(-1)at about 92%energy efficiency under one sun(1 kW·m^(-2)).Furthermore,the superhydrophilic window device was used in this work to collect the condensed water,which avoids the light-blocking caused by the water mist formed by the small droplets and the problem of the droplets stick on the device dropping back to the bulk water.Integrated with the excellent photothermal conversion hydrogel and superhydrophilic window equipment,this work provides efficient evaporation and desalination of hydrogel-based solar evaporators in practical large-scale applications.展开更多
Photocatalysts have attracted great research interest owing to their excellent properties and potential for simultaneously addressing challenges related to energy needs and environmental pollution.Photocatalytic parti...Photocatalysts have attracted great research interest owing to their excellent properties and potential for simultaneously addressing challenges related to energy needs and environmental pollution.Photocatalytic particles need to be in contact with their respective media to exhibit efficient photocatalytic performances.However,it is difficult to separate nanometer-sized photocatalytic materials from reaction media later,which may lead to secondary pollution and a poor recycling performance.Hydrogel photocatalysts with a three-dimensional(3D)network structures are promising support materials for photocatalysts based on features such as high specific surface areas and adsorption capacities and good environmental compatibility.In this review,hydrogel photocatalysts are classified into two different categories depending on their elemental composition and recent progresses in the methods for preparing hydrogel photocatalysts are summarized.Moreover,current applications of hydrogel photocatalysts in energy conversion and environmental remediation are reviewed.Furthermore,a comprehensive outlook and highlight future challenges in the development of hydrogel photocatalysts are presented.展开更多
基金the Cultivation Project for Basic Research and Innovation of Yanshan University(No.2022LGQN006)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22305014).
文摘The rational design of mechanically robust gel-based moisture-electric generators(MEGs)with broad environmental adaptability is of great significance for the construction of self-powered wearable systems,addressing critical challenges in sustainable energy harvesting for practical applications.In this study,we report a high-energy-output MEG based on a microphase-separated double-network ionogel,which contains a physically crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol network,chemically crosslinked poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid)and hygroscopic ionic liquid(BMIMCl).The introduction of ionic liquids leads to microphase separation,resulting in the formation of a solvent-rich phase and a polymer-rich phase within ionogels.In this structure,the solvent-rich phase facilitates stretching and ionic conduction,whereas the polymer-rich phase contributes to the improvement of mechanical strength.The resultant ionogels demonstrate exceptional mechanical robustness featuring a tensile strength of 4.63MPa,501.02%elongation at break,10.81MJm−3 fracture toughness,and<5%hysteresis.More importantly,benefit from the intrinsic wide-temperature tolerance of ionic liquids,the ionogel-based MEGs can operate over a wide humidity(30%-90%relative humidity)and temperature range(−25℃to 55℃),delivering a stabilized output voltage of 0.9-1.25 V and a record short-circuit current density of 539.42μA cm^(−2),outperforming most reported gelbased MEGs.The electricity generation arises from synergistic coupling of humidity-gradient-driven H⁺migration(major output current contribution)and Al electrode oxidation(major output voltage contribution).Through modular integration,50 series-connected units achieved an output of up to 60 V,directly powering commercial electronics,such as smartwatches and calculators.This finding provides a feasible strategy for designing all-weather,mechanically robust,and scalable self-powered systems.
基金We thank Prof.Cunming Yu and Dr.Xiao Xiao for providing COMSLO simulation.This work was supported by the National Natural Science Funds for Distinguished Young Scholar(No.21725401)the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2017YFA0207800)+1 种基金the 111 project(B14009)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.
文摘Efficient light absorption and trapping are of vital importance for the solar water evaporation by hydrogel-based photothermal conversion materials.Conventional strategies are focused on the development of the composition and structure of the hydrogers internal network.In our point of view,the importance of the surface structure of hydrogel has usually been underestimated or ignored.Here inspired by the excellent absorbance and water transportation ability of biological surface structure,the hierarchical structured hydrogel evaporators(HSEs)increased the light absorption,trapping,water transportation and water-air interface,which is the beneficial photothermal conversion and water evaporation.The HSEs showed a rapid evaporation rate of 1.77 kg·m^(-2)·h^(-1)at about 92%energy efficiency under one sun(1 kW·m^(-2)).Furthermore,the superhydrophilic window device was used in this work to collect the condensed water,which avoids the light-blocking caused by the water mist formed by the small droplets and the problem of the droplets stick on the device dropping back to the bulk water.Integrated with the excellent photothermal conversion hydrogel and superhydrophilic window equipment,this work provides efficient evaporation and desalination of hydrogel-based solar evaporators in practical large-scale applications.
基金This work was supported by Japan Science and Technology-Strategic International Collaborative Research Program(JSTSICORP)Grant JPMJSC18H1 and Japan Science and Technology-Program on Open Innovation Platform with Enterprises,Research Institute and Academia(JST-OPERA)Grant JPMJOP1843This work was also supported by Natural Science Foundation of Hebei province(No.B2021203028).
文摘Photocatalysts have attracted great research interest owing to their excellent properties and potential for simultaneously addressing challenges related to energy needs and environmental pollution.Photocatalytic particles need to be in contact with their respective media to exhibit efficient photocatalytic performances.However,it is difficult to separate nanometer-sized photocatalytic materials from reaction media later,which may lead to secondary pollution and a poor recycling performance.Hydrogel photocatalysts with a three-dimensional(3D)network structures are promising support materials for photocatalysts based on features such as high specific surface areas and adsorption capacities and good environmental compatibility.In this review,hydrogel photocatalysts are classified into two different categories depending on their elemental composition and recent progresses in the methods for preparing hydrogel photocatalysts are summarized.Moreover,current applications of hydrogel photocatalysts in energy conversion and environmental remediation are reviewed.Furthermore,a comprehensive outlook and highlight future challenges in the development of hydrogel photocatalysts are presented.
