A flexible and self-healable moisture-driven energy harvester based on 2D vanadium pentoxide nanosheets†

Abstract

Harvesting energy from the surrounding environment holds significant potential for self-powering of sensors and diagnostic platforms. In this study, we present a flexible and self-healing moisture-driven nanogenerator utilizing a vanadium pentoxide nanosheet membrane. Power generation is achieved by the dissociation of the water molecules and selective transport of the hydronium ion through the atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) nanofluidic channels within the reconstructed V₂O₅ membrane. This moisture-triggered energy-harvesting device showcases an open circuit voltage of 0.42 volts and a short circuit current of 0.3 μA cm⁻¹. Remarkably, any physical damage incurred by the V₂O₅ device can be effortlessly remedied with the simple addition of a drop of water. Moreover, these moisture-induced nanogenerators can be interconnected to achieve different voltage and current outputs.