Ocean current-inspired asymmetric hydrovoltaic energy generator for all-weather sustainable electricity output

Amoisture-enabled power generator integrating multiple stable asymmetric structures was constructed. • Hofmeister effect and ion occupation effect have been found synergistically enhanced the capability. • A peak power density of 10.5 μW·cm −2 with sustained discharge for 100 h have been achieved. • A portable power supply was fabricated that realizing stable power delivery. Inspired by the thermohaline-driven operation of ocean currents, this work developed an asymmetric hydrovoltaic energy generator (AHEG) with all-weather stable output capability by integrating multiple asymmetric structures to drive continuous water and ion migration. Materials characterization and testing confirmed the stable existence of multiple asymmetric structures within AHEG, including moisture asymmetry, temperature asymmetry, ion concentration asymmetry, and surface potential asymmetry. Benefiting from these asymmetric structures, AHEG achieved a power density of 10.5 μW cm −2 , self-charging capability, and 100-h stable discharge, outperforming most reported moisture-enabled generators. Theoretical calculations further confirmed the synergistic role of Hofmeister and ion occupation effects in boosting AHEG performance. Furthermore, a portable power supply constructed through simple integration could drive miniature devices, providing insights into the development of novel high-performance HEGs. Inspired by the operation of thermohaline-driven ocean currents, a hybrid moisture- enabled power generator integrating multiple asymmetric structures has been developed, with conductive substrate and polyelectrolyte constitute the basic power generation unit, while localized thermal management enabled by radiative cooling film and photothermal conversion capability of conductive substrate simulate the temperature variation patterns of the Earth's poles and equator, respectively, achieve a outperforming power density of 10.5 μW·cm −2 , with self-charging capability and 100-h stable discharge prefoemance. Download: Download high-res image (163KB) Download: Download full-size image