Compensation strategy for constructing high-performance aerogels using acrylamide-assisted vacuum drying and their use as water-induced electrical generators

•Acrylamide-assisted vacuum drying (AAVD) demonstrates preparation of aerogels.•AAVD spends less time and energy preparing PEDOT/PSS aerogels.•AAVD renders PEDOT/PSS aerogels with higher conductivity and lower shrinkage.•AAVD presents universality in other nanomaterials.•AAVD aerogels harvest energy as water-induced recyclable electrical generators.