Hydrovoltaic energy

• Published in: Synthetic metals 2024-07, Vol.305, p.117597, Article 117597
• Main Authors: Bolsu Kari̇per, S.Esra, Kari̇per, İ.Afşin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Energy harvesting; Hydrovoltaic effect; Nanomaterials
• ISSN: 0379-6779; 1879-3290
• DOI: 10.1016/j.synthmet.2024.117597

Researchers focused on searching for low-cost, eco-friendly, renewable, high-performance materials for energy generation to handle the increase in production costs, decrease in natural resources, and adverse effects of raw materials and intermediate and final products on the environment. Nanotechnology allowed the development of new technologies to protect the environment, meet energy needs, achieve the desired efficiency, and address the lack of resources and waste problems. Renewable energy generation has focused on producing electrical energy from water, the most abundant matter in the world. The hydrovoltaic effect allows the development of low-cost and high-efficiency systems that can directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy through the interaction of water with nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, carbon nanoparticles, conductive polymers, and graphene. This study reviews the development of hydrovoltaic energy by discussing the nanomaterials used to create this energy, the performance of the devices, the effect of material properties on device efficiency, and recent developments. Nanostructured carbon materials increase water evaporation significantly, achieving continuous electricity generation. Studies on developing self-running systems using nanostructured materials are continuing. However, researchers should also concentrate on increasing the electrical output of the devices to increase hydrovoltaic energy usage. [Display omitted] •This study addressed hydrovoltaic nanogenerators, a new field with very few studies and reviews in the literature.•The basic working principle of hydrovoltaic nanogenerators and the latest developments are discussed.•Information about the development of hydrovoltaic energy is given.