Dual‐Asymmetric Janus Aerogel Enabled by Ambient Drying for Synergistic Hydrovoltaic and Solar Steam Generation

Abstract Hydrovoltaic electricity generator (HEG) offers a promising solution for sustainable energy harvesting from ubiquitous water sources, yet achieving simultaneously high efficiency, long‐term durability, and recyclability remains a major challenge. Here, a scalable, cost‐effective strategy is reported to construct dual‐asymmetric aerogels (DAAs) via ionic cross‐linking and ambient drying (IC‐AD) method using oppositely charged nanocelluloses and amino‐functionalized carbon nanotubes. The Janus architecture features a heterogeneous pore structure and ionizable group polarity differences across bilayer interfaces, enabling sustained water transport and directional ion migration. Compared with freeze‐dried systems, the IC‐AD method significantly enhances the aerogel's wet strength and structural integrity, facilitating stable energy output. The DAA HEG exhibits a high output voltage of 736 mV and a peak power density of 0.96 µW cm −2 , maintaining stable performance over 22 h and multiple cycles. When operated in seawater, the HEG achieves enhanced output (840 mV, 5.74 µW cm −2 ) with excellent tolerance to salinity. Beyond energy harvesting, the DAA demonstrates excellent solar steam generation (1.97 kg m −2 h −1 ) with long‐term salt resistance, enabling effective seawater desalination. This work presents an integrated aerogel platform with synergistic hydroelectric and photothermal performance, offering a promising and transformative strategy for scalable, sustainable, high‐performance energy harvesting and water treatment technologies.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2025-12-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202531296
Primary Topic
Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Dual‐Asymmetric Janus Aerogel Enabled by Ambient Drying for Synergistic Hydrovoltaic and Solar Steam Generation

Sheng Chen, Jingqiao Zhu, Yanglei Xu, Jie Sha et al.
Advanced Functional Materials
Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods
article

Dual‐Asymmetric Janus Aerogel Enabled by Ambient Drying for Synergistic Hydrovoltaic and Solar Steam Generation

Sheng Chen, Jingqiao Zhu, Yanglei Xu, Jie Sha, Feng Xu, Zi Wen, Mengyao Cao, Chao Wang, Yuxin Chen, Ziyi Wang
article en

Abstract

Abstract Hydrovoltaic electricity generator (HEG) offers a promising solution for sustainable energy harvesting from ubiquitous water sources, yet achieving simultaneously high efficiency, long‐term durability, and recyclability remains a major challenge. Here, a scalable, cost‐effective strategy is reported to construct dual‐asymmetric aerogels (DAAs) via ionic cross‐linking and ambient drying (IC‐AD) method using oppositely charged nanocelluloses and amino‐functionalized carbon nanotubes. The Janus architecture features a heterogeneous pore structure and ionizable group polarity differences across bilayer interfaces, enabling sustained water transport and directional ion migration. Compared with freeze‐dried systems, the IC‐AD method significantly enhances the aerogel's wet strength and structural integrity, facilitating stable energy output. The DAA HEG exhibits a high output voltage of 736 mV and a peak power density of 0.96 µW cm −2 , maintaining stable performance over 22 h and multiple cycles. When operated in seawater, the HEG achieves enhanced output (840 mV, 5.74 µW cm −2 ) with excellent tolerance to salinity. Beyond energy harvesting, the DAA demonstrates excellent solar steam generation (1.97 kg m −2 h −1 ) with long‐term salt resistance, enabling effective seawater desalination. This work presents an integrated aerogel platform with synergistic hydroelectric and photothermal performance, offering a promising and transformative strategy for scalable, sustainable, high‐performance energy harvesting and water treatment technologies.

Advanced Functional Materials
Qilu University of Technology (CN), Beijing Forestry University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Forestry University
Openalex Percentile: Top 71%
Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods
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