Hydrovoltaic Electricity Generator with Hygroscopic Materials: A Review and New Perspective.

The global energy crisis caused by the overconsumption of nonrenewable fuels has prompted researchers to develop alternative strategies for producing electrical energy. In this review, a fascinating strategy that simply utilizes water, an abundant natural substance throughout the globe and even in air as moisture, as a power source is introduced. The concept of the hydrovoltaic electricity generator (HEG) proposed herein involves generating an electrical potential gradient by exposing the two ends of the HEG device to dissimilar physicochemical environments, which leads to the production of an electrical current through the active material.

Multifunctional Filter Membranes Based on Self-Assembled Core-Shell Biodegradable Nanofibers for Persistent Electrostatic Filtration through the Triboelectric Effect.

The massive production of polymer-based respiratory masks during the COVID-19 pandemic has rekindled the issue of environmental pollution from nonrecyclable plastic waste. To mitigate this problem, conventional filters should be redesigned with improved filtration performance over the entire operational life while also being naturally degradable at the end. Herein, we developed a functional and biodegradable polymeric filter membrane consisting of a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) matrix blended with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and montmorillonite (MMT) clay, whose surface properties have been modified through cation exchange reactions for good miscibility with PBAT in an organic solvent.

Vertically and Horizontally Drawing Formation of Graphite Pencil Electrodes on Paper by Frictional Sliding for a Disposable and Foldable Electronic Device.

The objective of this study is to fabricate an electrode by frictional sliding caused by a rough paper surface. The pressure exerted during drawing induces adsorption of the graphite particles by the rough paper and simultaneously reduces the surface roughness of the paper electrode. Repetitive drawing in one-way direction reduced the roughness of the paper surface, decreasing the grain boundaries of graphite.