Synergistic Design of Biomass Materials for Moisture‐Induced Electricity Generation

ABSTRACT Harvesting the dispersed, low‐grade energy stored in atmospheric moisture has emerged as an attractive route toward distributed and sustainable power generation. Moisture‐induced electricity generation (MEG) converts chemical potential changes associated with water sorption, ion dissociation, selective ion transport, and interfacial charge transfer into electricity without requiring light, wind, or a liquid water supply. Natural biomass is a promising material platform because its polar and ionizable groups and hierarchical pore channels support moisture uptake, carrier generation, and directional ion transport. However, a single biomass material is unlikely to simultaneously provide high ionic conductivity, a persistent gradient, efficient charge collection, and wet‐state stability. This minireview presents a synergistic design framework across molecular, structural, and device levels. Biomass chemistry regulates carrier generation and ion selectivity, hierarchical structures maintain water activity and ion concentration gradients, and device integration coordinates ionic transport, charge collection, and structural stability. We first outline the fundamental mechanism of biomass‐based MEG and then compare cellulose, sodium alginate, lignin, proteins, chitosan, and microbial materials in terms of their properties, functions, limitations, and suitable application scenarios. Performance optimization strategies are further summarized as ionic regulation, gradient construction, and composite integration. Finally, we discuss the main challenges of conversion efficiency, operating lifetime, wet‐state durability, and biomass variability, together with future directions for practical and sustainable moisture energy harvesting.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
CleanMat.
Published
2026-09-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/clem.70043
Primary Topic
Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Synergistic Design of Biomass Materials for Moisture‐Induced Electricity Generation

Lin Dai, Guanghui Song, Wangxin Liu, Yanhua Guan et al.
CleanMat.
Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods
article

Synergistic Design of Biomass Materials for Moisture‐Induced Electricity Generation

Lin Dai, Guanghui Song, Wangxin Liu, Yanhua Guan, Chuanling Si
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Harvesting the dispersed, low‐grade energy stored in atmospheric moisture has emerged as an attractive route toward distributed and sustainable power generation. Moisture‐induced electricity generation (MEG) converts chemical potential changes associated with water sorption, ion dissociation, selective ion transport, and interfacial charge transfer into electricity without requiring light, wind, or a liquid water supply. Natural biomass is a promising material platform because its polar and ionizable groups and hierarchical pore channels support moisture uptake, carrier generation, and directional ion transport. However, a single biomass material is unlikely to simultaneously provide high ionic conductivity, a persistent gradient, efficient charge collection, and wet‐state stability. This minireview presents a synergistic design framework across molecular, structural, and device levels. Biomass chemistry regulates carrier generation and ion selectivity, hierarchical structures maintain water activity and ion concentration gradients, and device integration coordinates ionic transport, charge collection, and structural stability. We first outline the fundamental mechanism of biomass‐based MEG and then compare cellulose, sodium alginate, lignin, proteins, chitosan, and microbial materials in terms of their properties, functions, limitations, and suitable application scenarios. Performance optimization strategies are further summarized as ionic regulation, gradient construction, and composite integration. Finally, we discuss the main challenges of conversion efficiency, operating lifetime, wet‐state durability, and biomass variability, together with future directions for practical and sustainable moisture energy harvesting.

CleanMat.
Tianjin University of Science and Technology (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin City
Openalex Percentile: Top 29%
Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.