Long Cycle Life Rechargeable Moisture-Enabled Electricity Cell

Moisture-enabled electricity generation (MEG) is a prominent renewable energy harvesting technology in hydrovoltaic power generation, boasting the broadest energy harvesting spectrum. However, practical application faces limitations due to irreversible performance degradation caused by structural changes and moisture-generated carrier (MGC) losses in Moisture-enabled electricity (ME) materials, rendering them non-renewable. This study introduces a rechargeable moisture-enabled electricity cell (rMEC) based on dual ME functional layers and active metal electrodes. The rMEC demonstrates outstanding power generation performance, with a single cell providing an output voltage of 1.08 V and a power density of 5.83 µW cm⁻² through redox assistance. Moreover, it can be recharged when MGCs are lost, utilizing the reversibility of the redox reaction (moisture of H₂O₂ solution) for self-repair. Notebly, the rMEC maintains stable operation for over 2080 h and undergoes 100 charging/working cycles, marking the longest span life record in MEG research history. When exposed to industrial wastewater/gases with oxidation characteristics, the rMEC not only completes charging but also facilitates the reuse of toxic waste resources. The environmentally friendly rMEC, with its long cycle life, significantly overcomes the limitations of non-renewable ME materials, serving as a paradigm for promoting iterative upgrades in MEG technology.