Regenerative Hydrovoltaic Power Generator with Remarkable Duration and Fast Power Generation Achieved by Deep Eutectic Biomass Complex

H Haowei Jiang (National Engineering Research Center of Novel Equipment for Polymer Processing Key Laboratory of Polymer Processing Engineering Ministry of Education Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Technique and Equipment for Macromolecular Advanced Manufacturing Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510641 China) H Huanhuan Zhang Z Zhikun Gao (National Engineering Research Center of Novel Equipment for Polymer Processing Key Laboratory of Polymer Processing Engineering Ministry of Education Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Technique and Equipment for Macromolecular Advanced Manufacturing Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510641 China) Z Zhao‐Xia Huang (National Engineering Research Center of Novel Equipment for Polymer Processing Key Laboratory of Polymer Processing Engineering Ministry of Education Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Technique and Equipment for Macromolecular Advanced Manufacturing Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510641 China) J Jin‐ping Qu (National Engineering Research Center of Novel Equipment for Polymer Processing Key Laboratory of Polymer Processing Engineering Ministry of Education Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Technique and Equipment for Macromolecular Advanced Manufacturing Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510641 China)

Abstract

Abstract Hydrovoltaic power generators (HPGs) are pivotal for addressing the global energy crisis. However, most prevalent HPGs suffer from a conflict: either generating transient electricity or sustaining long‐term output reliant on a continuous water supply, which would rapidly decay without water input, especially under low humidity. This severely restricts their environmental adaptability and durability, while the recyclability of HPGs is also highly concerned for reducing electronic waste. Herein, this work pioneers a biomass‐derived processing strategy that forms a “Deep Eutectic Biomass Complex” (DEBC) via direct combining biomass macromolecules with choline chloride. The strategy constructed a stable yet sensitive hydrogen‐bonded network that endows DEBC simultaneously realizing fast power generation and long‐term duration as HPG. DEBC exhibits ultrahigh sensitivity to external humidity changes (∆R/R₀≈265 000%) and can spontaneously induce Grotthuss proton hopping under moisture flow, leading to rapid voltage generation (113.8 ± 11.5 mV s −1 ). It also demonstrates exceptional durability that maintains an open‐circuit voltage (V oc ≥ 400  mV) at 30%RH for over 10500 s without water input, and sustains V oc in an open environment for 25 days during winter. This work proposes a feasible access for designing renewable HPG with superior durability and environmental adaptability, tackling the operational limitations and sustainability concerns.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 38, Issue 4
Published January 01, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (5)

H

Haowei Jiang

National Engineering Research Center of Novel Equipment for Polymer Processing Key Laboratory of Polymer Processing Engineering Ministry of Education Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Technique and Equipment for Macromolecular Advanced Manufacturing Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510641 China

H

Huanhuan Zhang

Z

Zhikun Gao

National Engineering Research Center of Novel Equipment for Polymer Processing Key Laboratory of Polymer Processing Engineering Ministry of Education Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Technique and Equipment for Macromolecular Advanced Manufacturing Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510641 China

Z

Zhao‐Xia Huang

National Engineering Research Center of Novel Equipment for Polymer Processing Key Laboratory of Polymer Processing Engineering Ministry of Education Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Technique and Equipment for Macromolecular Advanced Manufacturing Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510641 China

J

Jin‐ping Qu

National Engineering Research Center of Novel Equipment for Polymer Processing Key Laboratory of Polymer Processing Engineering Ministry of Education Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Technique and Equipment for Macromolecular Advanced Manufacturing Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510641 China