Abstract
Energy harvesting is a topic of intense interest that aims to convert ambient forms of energy such as mechanical motion, light and heat, which are otherwise wasted, into useful energy. In many cases the energy harvester or nanogenerator converts motion, heat or light into electrical energy, which is subsequently rectified and stored within capacitors for applications such as wireless and self-powered sensors or low-power electronics. This review covers the new and emerging area that aims to directly couple energy harvesting materials and devices with electro-chemical systems. The harvesting approaches to be covered include pyroelectric, piezoelectric, triboelectric, flexoelectric, thermoelectric and photovoltaic effects. These are used to influence a variety of electro-chemical systems such as applications related to water splitting, catalysis, corrosion protection, degradation of pollutants, disinfection of bacteria and material synthesis. Comparisons are made between the range harvesting approaches and the modes of operation are described. Future directions for the development of electro-chemical harvesting systems are highlighted and the potential for new applications and hybrid approaches are discussed.
Highlights
Energy harvesting of heat, light and mechanical vibrations remains a vibrant topic
The harvesting approaches to be covered include pyroelectric, piezoelectric, triboelectric, flexoelectric, thermoelectric and photovoltaic effects. These are used to influence a variety of electro-chemical systems such as applications related to water splitting, catalysis, corrosion protection, degradation of pollutants, disinfection of bacteria and material synthesis
As a result, when triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are coupled to electro-chemical processes, they can act as the power source either by directly powering the electro-chemical system with a pulsed output that is rectified to maintain the polarity of the output or a combination of transformer and rectifier that is used to charge an integrated capacitor/battery before supplying the electro-chemical system with a direct current (DC) electrical output
Summary
Light and mechanical vibrations remains a vibrant topic. In many cases the harvester generates. She started a new role as a Prize Fellow in the Materials and Structures Research.
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