A Hybrid Artificial Photocatalysis System Splits Atmospheric Water for Simultaneous Dehumidification and Power Generation

A new approach for artificial photocatalysis of electrical generation directly from atmospheric water is reported. A hybrid system comprising a hydrogel incorporated with Cu₂O and BaTiO₃ nanoparticles is developed, wherein the Cu₂O is designed to expose two different crystal planes, namely (100) and (111). These planes exhibit different surface potentials and form a polarization electric field of 2.3 kV cm⁻¹ that acts on a ferroelectric dipole. With the help of this electric field, the dipole is redirected for aiding in positive and negative polarizations with (100) and (111) planes, then boosting water reduction and oxidation kinetics separately at (100) and (111) planes. Additonally, zinc-/cobalt-based superhygroscopic hydrogels serve as a water-capturing “hand” to harness humidity from the ambient environment. The integrated hydrogel–Cu₂O@BaTiO₃ hybrid is used to dehumidify air, which can split 36.5 mg of water by employing only 150 mg hydrogel and simultaneously generate a photocurrent of 224.3 µA cm⁻² under 10 mW cm⁻² illumination.