Unveiling the Role of Intermediate Neutral Hydrogen in Bridging Moisture‐Electric Generation and Hydrogen Evolution

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Authors: Mengyao Li, Tao Yin, Tao Wan, Jie Min, Chao Liu, Shuangyue Wang, Ziheng Feng, Renbo Zhu, Xicheng Zhang, Songyan Yin, Zekun Dong, Xiaodan Yin
+3 more Yi-Xiang Wang, Yixuan Huang, Dewei Chu
Cited by: 3
References: 56

Abstract

ABSTRACT Harvesting renewable energy from ambient moisture into sustainable electricity represents a promising route to address global energy and climate challenges. However, the moisture energy utilization is low in existing moisture‐electric generators (MEGs) technologies. Here, we report a carrier‐type–engineered graphene oxide (GO)–based MEG that not only generates electricity from moisture but also drives clean hydrogen production via electrochemical water splitting. The optimized device delivers a steady voltage output of 0.90 V and an ultra‐high current density of 0.25 mA∙cm −2 at 80% relative humidity, maintaining excellent stability for two weeks. Importantly, we first reveal that the proton–electron recombination during MEG discharge produces abundant neutral hydrogen atoms absorbed on the carbon nanotube substrate, which subsequently act as highly active species for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), achieving a remarkably low overpotential of ∼20 mV. The present work marks the first demonstration of hydrogen generation directly coupled with MEG discharge via cascade utilization of intermediate neutral hydrogen molecules. Furthermore, the device can be rejuvenated through a recycling treatment, enabling cyclic operation. This study not only advances the fundamental understanding of charge transfer and proton dynamics in MEGs but also introduces a new paradigm for coupling ambient‐energy harvesting with sustainable hydrogen production.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods Microbial Fuel Cells and Bioremediation Advanced battery technologies research

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Materials
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
38
Issue
30
Pages
e73176–e73176
Publication date
23 April 2026
Language
EN