Work

Humidity-induced dynamic coordination drives the oscillatory migration of ions for sustainable energy harvesting

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Moisture-induced ion diffusion in nanostructured materials is a promising route for high-performance power generation, yet achieving the continuous ion migration necessary for long-term operation remains challenging. Here, we report a moisture-electricity conversion mechanism capable of sustained electrical output. We demonstrate that humidity fluctuations regulate the dynamic coordination between iodide ions (I-) and iodine molecules (I2), driving the oscillatory migration of I- to generate a continuous alternating ion current (AC). Crucially, this coordination process avoids charge exchange, while electricity generation is achieved through moisture-driven ion transport. The device achieves a current output of 33.2 µA cm-² and exhibits sustainable performance recovery under natural humidity fluctuations. This mechanism remains effective even under minimal humidity gradients (13% RH), ensuring adaptability to diverse weather conditions. Our strategy, applicable to various gel materials, utilizes environmental humidity fluctuations as a power source for ion diffusion, offering a fundamental solution for long-term, autonomous energy harvesting. This study reveals a mechanism where humidity-driven dynamic coordination between iodide ions and iodine molecules enables sustained oscillatory ion migration, providing a robust solution for continuous ambient energy harvesting

Source: Nature Communications

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-69206-5