Humidity-Mediated Conversion of Hydration Energy into Electricity Over Copper Oxide Nanorods and Polyaniline Metal–Organic Framework

Abstract

Synergistic conversion of atmospheric humidity-induced surface hydration energy into electricity is demonstrated over an in situ-prepared copper oxide nanorod-encapsulated polyaniline metal–organic framework film coated on an indium titanium oxide-coated glass plate (CuO-NRs/PANI/ITO) as an alternative source of green energy as a hydrovoltaic cell. The structure, morphology, and physico-mechanical properties of the composite film are reported to establish their role in the generation of electric current and potential. The proposed hydrovoltaic cell exhibits effective open-circuit voltage of 841 mV along with a current flow of 64 mA and maximum power generation capacity of 53.82 mW for 21 days. Further, the conversion mechanism of electricity is described on the basis of the surface interaction between water molecules and the composite surface. The effect of humidity-induced hydration energy on the conversion efficiency is described in terms of improved ionic mobility and ionizability under the influence of controlled relative humidity of a closed chamber to use as an eco-friendly alternative source of green energy for different sustainable applications.