Bioinspired Interfacial Design of Robust Aramid Nanofiber Composite Films for High-Performance Moisture-Electric Generators

The burgeoning field of moisture-electric generators (MEGs) for wearable electronics has garnered significant interest due to their capability to harness energy from atmospheric moisture. Nevertheless, achieving an optimal balance between mechanical resilience and energy generation efficiency in MEGs materials remains a substantial challenge. Herein, the study reports a highly resilient and flexible nanocomposite film comprising activated aramid nanofibers and sodium alginate (aASA), designed via biomimetic methodologies and advanced interfacial activation techniques to enhance power generation efficiency. The aASA film exhibits exceptional mechanical properties, including a toughness of 30.5 MJ m⁻³, and exhibits superior impact resistance compared to conventional aramid nanofiber films. The asymmetric sandwich-structured MEG fabricated using the aASA film (termed ASMEG) achieves sustained voltage and current output of 1.25 V and 2.52 µA cm⁻² over 100 h with minimal degradation at 80% RH, showcasing outstanding performance among existing MEGs. Furthermore, the ASMEG device effectively demonstrates practical utility in self-powered sensing applications, providing structural protection alongside real-time self-monitoring capabilities during dynamic impact scenarios. This work presents an innovative strategy for designing high-performance moisture-electric generation materials specifically tailored for wearable electronics.