Power-Free Electrochemical Degradation of Tetracyclines Contributed by Flexible Magnetoelectric Flag Wind Generators

Electrochemical degradation is a commonly used strategy to remove organic contaminations in water. However, in some remote areas where electricity is insufficient, electrochemical degradation may become ineffective due to the absence of a power supply. Here, a unique self-powered electrochemical system (SPES) is proposed to accomplish the power-free degradation of tetracyclines (TCs) and organic dyes in water with the assistance of flexible magnetoelectric flag generators (MFGs). These MFGs convert wind energy into electricity. Under a wind speed of 6.3 m s −1 , a 22 × 30 cm 2 MFG yields a peak open-circuit voltage of 3.5 V and an ultra-high peak short-circuit current of ≈13 mA. A suchlike MFG charges large capacitors of 5 F to 1 V in 184 min. Powered by a series of MFGs, 5 ppm of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) or organic dyes in water are totally degraded with SPES in only 10 min. Moreover, the MFG is fully foldable and portable, which is well-suited for the migrating feature of the nomadic people in remote areas. The study opens up a new solution to the persistent problem of TCs contamination in natural waters in some remote regions where electricity is lacking.