Laser‐Induced‐Graphene‐Enabled Droplet‐Based Electricity Generator for Simultaneous Harvesting of Fog and Water Kinetic Energy

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Authors: Xinran Dong, Xinda Zhu, Yuxin Song, Xiongfeng Zhou, Cong Wang, Ji‐an Duan, Minjie Liu
Cited by: 5
References: 55

Abstract

ABSTRACT Addressing the global water‐energy nexus requires robust cogeneration technologies. Integrating fog harvesters with droplet‐based electricity generators (DEGs) hold promises for harvesting distributed water and energy. However, conventional DEGs are susceptible to failure under mechanical stress and in corrosive aqueous environments because of electrode delamination and degradation. Herein, we report a laser‐induced‐graphene‐enabled droplet‐based electricity generator (LIG‐DEG) that simultaneously harvests fog droplets and water kinetic energy, while exhibiting exceptional robustness that preserves device integrity and electrical performance. By fabricating laser‐induced graphene (LIG) electrodes in situ on polyimide substrates via laser processing, we achieve seamless electrode‐substrate integration, overcoming the delamination and degradation that limit conventional DEGs. The LIG‐DEG demonstrates outstanding mechanical and chemical robustness, maintaining an output voltage above 100 V after 21 000 buckling cycles, 210 abrasion cycles, and immersion in HCl, NaOH, or ethanol. Moreover, synergistically integrated with a bioinspired fog harvester, our design achieves cogeneration with a water collection rate of 250 g·h − 1 and sustained output voltage of 105 V in foggy environments. This scalable approach provides a durable solution for water‐energy harvesting in coastal or industrial high‐humidity regions.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Functional Materials
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
36
Issue
33
Publication date
21 January 2026
Language
EN