Humidity to electricity converter based on oxide nanoparticles

This study is devoted to the development of new oxide materials and devices based on them for direct long-term production of electricity from ambient humidity, which can be used as an auxiliary power supply system for self-sufficient buildings. The simplest device, a tablet pressed from these powders, generates an electrical potential in the presence of a moisture gradient inside the sample. The output voltage level of the converter depends on the type of material and the porous structure of the converter. There is a dependence of the sign of the output voltage on the type of material, which can be related to the type and sign of the surface centers of the converter material particles. The main mechanism of the converter operation is the generation of the streaming potential during the movement of adsorbed moisture (water molecules) in the porous structure of the converter under the influence of the ambient air humidity gradient. An increase in converter thickness increases the generation time of the output voltage by up to several tens of hours, both with an increase and a decrease in the humidity level in the compartment. The results of this study will help to use a huge reservoir of low-potential energy contained in gaseous water molecules to generate "green" electricity. Graphical abstract