Flexible water-evaporation-induced power generation devices with enhanced photothermal evaporation

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2025-01, Vol.1010, p.177381, Article 177381
• Main Authors: Liu, Libo, Qiu, Jing, Zhang, Zhenming, Li, Mingyu, Sun, Hexuan, Liu, Huanbin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Energy conversion; Hydrovoltaic effect; Water-evaporation
• ISSN: 0925-8388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.177381

The accelerated evolution of a diverse array of miniature sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies has resulted in a surge in demand for decentralized continuous power supplies. A substantial body of research has been conducted into a range of small-scale energy conversion devices. Among these, water evaporation-induced power generation devices, as a recently developed technology, have considerable scope for improvement in their electrical output performance. A flexible water evaporation-induced power generation device based on melamine foam has been developed. The device is capable of generating a voltage of 0.6 V and a current of over 40 µA in natural conditions. The device's flexibility enables it to maintain a voltage output capacity of over 0.5 V even when deformed. Furthermore, the device exhibits enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency, which in turn elevates the evaporation rate under outdoor illumination. The enhanced evaporation rate under light conditions enables the device's current output to exceed 60 μA. This work achieve the enhanced power generation performance of water evaporation-induced power generation devices in natural environments, thereby expanding their potential applications. •A single device is capable of generating a voltage of 0.6 V and a current of 40 μA through water evaporation.•The devices exhibit excellent flexibility and stability after multiple bending.•The introduction of carbon nanotubes improves the photothermal performance and evaporation efficiency.•A 50 % increase in current output has been observed in sunlight compared to indoor environments.•The device exhibits excellent photothermal properties, with an evaporation rate of 1.18 kg·m−2h−1.