Vertical Phase-Engineering MoS<sub>2</sub> Nanosheet-Enhanced Textiles for Efficient Moisture-Based Energy Generation.

Cao, Yuan-Ming; Su, Yang; Zheng, Mi; Luo, Peng; Xue, Yang-Biao; Han, Bin-Bin; Zheng, Min; Wang, Zuoshan et al. · ACS Nano · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Flexible moisture-electric generators (MEGs) capture chemical energy from atmospheric moisture for sustainable electricity, gaining attention in wearable electronics. However, challenges persist in the large-scale integration and miniaturization of MEGs for long-term, high-power output. Herein, a vertical heterogeneous phase-engineering MoS<sub>2</sub> nanosheet structure based silk and cotton were rationally designed and successfully applied to construct wearable MEGs for moisture-energy conversion. The prepared METs exhibit ∼0.8 V open-circuit voltage, ∼0.27 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> current density for >10 h, and >36.12 μW/cm<sup>2</sup> peak output power density, 3 orders higher than current standards. And the large-scale device realizes a current output of 0.145 A. An internal phase gradient between the 2H semiconductor MoS<sub>2</sub> in carbonized silks and 1T metallic MoS<sub>2</sub> in cotton fibers enables a phase-engineering-based heterogeneous electric double layer functioning as an equivalent parallel circuit, leading to enhanced high-power output. Owing to their facile customization for seamless adaptation to the human body, we envision exciting possibilities for these wearable METs as integrated self-power sources, enabling real-time monitoring of physiological parameters in wearable electronics.