Leaf-based energy harvesting and storage utilizing hygroscopic iron hydrogel for continuous power generation

Abstract In the era of big data, developing next-generation self-powered continuous energy harvesting systems is of great importance. Taking advantage of fallen leaves’ specific structural advantage gifted by nature, we propose a facile approach to convert fallen leaves into energy harvesters from ubiquitous moisture, based on surface treatments and asymmetric coating of hygroscopic iron hydrogels. Upon moisture absorption, a water gradient is established between areas with/without hydrogel coating, and maintained due to gel-like behaviors and leaf veins for water retention and diffusion restriction, thus forming electrical double layers over the leaf surface and showing capacitance-like behavior for energy…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 52203351
• KA
  King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

  Awards: CRG2020, OSR-CRG2020-4350, ORFS-CRG11-2022-5035