Spruce-inspired collagen fiber-based hydrovoltaic devices for continuous power generation

Abstract

The continuous supply of clean energy is one of the major challenges faced by all mankind. In this work, combining the wisdom of biology with hydrovoltaic electricity technology, biomimetic hydrovoltaic devices that can provide continuous power generation are proposed. To achieve excellent power generation performance with large-scale applications, leather collagen fibers (CFs) bearing natural nano-/micro-channels and abundant oxygen-containing groups are employed as the matrix, which is then constructed as hydrovoltaic devices by the Spruce isomorphic mapping strategy to solve the fatigue and insufficient stamina existing in the water evaporation process. The final products, collagen fiber-based hydrovoltaic devices (CFHD), gain an efficient energy output, exemplified by their V_oc (0.58 V) approximately six times that of the collagen fiber-based evaporator (0.10 V). Six CFHD in series can obtain a V_oc of 3.51 V and in parallel they achieve an I_sc of 30.63 µA. Combined with their excellent thermal stability, flexibility, applicability, low cost, convenient assembly, miniaturization, and all-weather power generation, the CFHD show great promise in outdoor power generation. Therefore, the present work aims to provide advanced hydrovoltaic power generation devices especially for energy scarce areas to support their operation and development, and meanwhile actuate advancements in the green energy storage and conversion field.