A robust all-inorganic hybrid energy harvester for synergistic energy collection from sunlight and raindrops

Abstract

As a new concept of the device, a hybrid energy harvester integrated with a water droplet triboelectric nanogenerator (WD-TENG) and a solar cell has been reported to convert raindrop energy and solar energy into electricity. However, organic triboelectric layers are usually utilized in previous studies that might be decomposed under long-term UV irradiation, resulting in degradation of the hybrid energy harvester. In this work, a fully inorganic hybrid energy harvester is demonstrated. Superhydrophobic SiO2 film is introduced to the system as both the triboelectric layer of the WD-TENG and the anti-reflective layer of the solar cell, which could increase the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the solar cell from 15.17% to 15.71%. Meanwhile, WD-TENG with the SiO2 triboelectric layer could collect energies from rain droplets. This superhydrophobic SiO2 film could effectively reduce the dependence of the tilt angle for the WD-TENG and bring up self-cleaning performance for the hybrid energy harvester. Moreover, this fully inorganic architecture could enhance the stability of the hybrid energy harvester, making it a promising strategy in practical applications.

Advances in Energy‐Efficient Plasmonic Electrochromic Smart Windows Based on Metal Oxide Nanocrystals

“…Furthermore, the integration of EC devices with energy-harvesting devices such as triboelectric generators to realize self-powered functionality is another interesting research direction in this field. [140,141] In addition, a multifunctional PESW sensor can be designed to detect specific physical, chemical, and biological signals by utilizing light, heat, and mechanical energy. [142] [134] Copyright 2019, American Chemical Society.…”

Nodding Duck Structure Multi-track Directional Freestanding Triboelectric Nanogenerator toward Low-Frequency Ocean Wave Energy Harvesting

“…Energy shortage and environmental pollution are the two major challenges facing human society; development of renewable clean energy has become a worldwide strategic option to relieve the depletion of resources and deterioration of the environment caused by the overexploitation of fossil fuels. − Accounting for 71% of the earth’s total energy, ocean energy, including tidal, wave, temperature difference, and salt difference energy, is estimated to possess an average annual power generation of 8000 TWh. − Among different forms of ocean energy, wave energy has the merits of high power density and vast distribution and is considered to be one of the most promising marine energy sources. If the wave energy can be converted to electricity, the global wave energy generation is expected to enhance at least by 1 order of magnitude. , Traditional wave power generation technology mainly relies on electromagnetic induction generator; however, the high construction and maintenance costs, relatively low power conversion efficiency at low frequency, and poor reliability and stability limit its future development and application expansion. ,− Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), invented in 2012, , has shown great advantages and application potential in the collection of human biomechanical energy and ambient vibrational energy due to its numerous advantages including high power density, low cost, lightweight, and large-scale deployment potential in comparison to electromagnetic generators, − providing a potential technical solution for large-scale blue energy scavenging.…”

Mechanical Metamaterials Gyro-Structure Piezoelectric Nanogenerators for Energy Harvesting under Quasi-Static Excitations in Ocean Engineering

“…Mass-spring systems and magneto-mechanical systems were reported to convert ocean waves through the piezoelectric effect. Studies have further been conducted on composite piezoelectric materials for specific applications, for example, the energy-harvesting devices via ocean waves and sunlight, − raindrops, , heartbeat, , and water, and the self-powered monitoring devices via vibration , and rotation …”

“…Mass-spring systems 16 and magneto-mechanical systems 3 were reported to convert ocean waves through the piezoelectric effect. Studies have further been conducted on composite piezoelectric materials for specific applications, for example, the energyharvesting devices via ocean waves and sunlight, 17−19 raindrops, 20,21 heartbeat, 22,23 and water, 24 and the self-powered monitoring devices via vibration 25,26 and rotation. 27 Architected metastructures, typically known as mechanical metamaterials (MM), have attracted research interests due to their preponderant mechanical characteristics that are rarely obtained from traditional structures.…”