Water evaporation-induced V-shaped paper-based generator and preparation method thereof

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of paper-based energy storage, and discloses a water evaporation induced V-shaped paper-based generator and a preparation method thereof, wherein the present application utilizes UV light curing ink to be treated by ultraviolet irradiation to make the hydrophilic paper surface be hydrophobic modified, the paper in the hydrophilic area can drive fluid flow under the capillary action and natural evaporation, and the surface fluid flow of the hydrophilic material can generate a mechanism of flow potential. The method has simple steps, the whole light curing process is controllable, the efficiency is extremely high, and the method can be used for preparing a simple and portable water evaporation induced paper-based generator. The V-shaped structure of the paper-based generator prepared by the present application can realize effective transmission of fluid and effective connection of the circuit, and the paper-based generator can be used for preparing an arrayed water evaporation induced paper-based generator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of paper-based energy storage, specifically to a water evaporation-induced V-shaped paper-based generator and its preparation method. Background Technology

[0002] Paper is often used as a substrate material for manufacturing various functional materials due to its wide availability, low cost, ease of processing, good biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Since 2017, researchers have been able to advance the research progress in the field of water evaporation-induced power harvesting by depositing a hydrophilic toluene carbon black film, which is burned in a flame, onto a quartz glass slide and placed in water, thereby inducing the generation of electricity through water evaporation.

[0003] Existing evaporation-induced generators require connection to other water generators via external wires to achieve their intended effect. This assembly often requires a large footprint, is cumbersome, and lacks mobility. To address this issue, this invention provides a V-shaped paper-based evaporation-induced generator. By folding the paper base into a V-shaped structure, it achieves seamless connection with other water generators and saves significant space. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings and deficiencies of existing technologies, the primary objective of this invention is to provide a water evaporation-induced V-shaped paper-based generator.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for preparing the above-mentioned water evaporation-induced V-shaped paper-based generator, which can be used to prepare a portable paper-based generator.

[0006] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0007] A water evaporation-induced V-shaped paper-based generator includes a hydrophobic region, a hydrophilic region, and a conductive region.

[0008] The hydrophobic region refers to the area where a hydrophilic paper base surface is treated with UV-curable ink and then irradiated with a UV curing machine.

[0009] The hydrophilic region refers to the area on the paper base surface that has not been treated with hydrophobic ink by UV curing and has not been treated with UV curing machine irradiation;

[0010] The conductive area refers to the area where the hydrophobic area is covered by conductive ink.

[0011] The bottom of the hydrophilic region is used to add water to connect the hydrophobic and conductive regions. Capillary action transports the water to the top, and surface evaporation causes the internal water to flow continuously.

[0012] A method for preparing a water evaporation-induced V-shaped paper-based generator includes the following steps:

[0013] (1) Cut the hydrophilic paper material into strips;

[0014] (2) Apply UV-curable ink to the surface of the paper-based material according to the designed V-shaped structure. Then, the area treated by the UV curing machine becomes a hydrophobic area, while the area that has not been treated by UV curing ink and UV light becomes a hydrophilic area.

[0015] (3) Coat the surface of the hydrophobic region with hydrophobic conductive ink and connect it with the boundary of the hydrophilic region so that the conductive ink can be evenly covered to the hydrophobic region. After drying, fold the paper in half to form multiple V-shaped paper strips to complete the entire preparation process.

[0016] The hydrophilic paper material mentioned in step (1) is one of filter paper, writing paper, blotting paper, etc.; the strip shape refers to cutting the hydrophilic paper material into strips with a width of 1-4cm.

[0017] The UV-curable ink mentioned in step (2) is a UV-curable transparent ink;

[0018] The conductive ink component mentioned in step (3) is one of CH-8 carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphite, and silver paste;

[0019] The drying process described in step (3) refers to drying at 70°C for 4 hours.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0021] (1) This invention provides a method for preparing a water evaporation-induced paper-based generator. It uses UV-curable ink treated with ultraviolet light to hydrophobically modify the surface of a hydrophilic paper base. The hydrophilic areas of the paper can drive fluid flow under capillary action and natural evaporation, and the surface fluid flow of the hydrophilic material generates a current potential. This method is simple, and the entire photocuring process is fully controllable and highly efficient. It can be used to prepare a simple and portable water evaporation-induced paper-based generator.

[0022] (2) The present invention provides a method for preparing a water evaporation-induced paper-based generator. The method is simple and easy to promote. The entire paper-based hydrophobic treatment process is controllable. The V-shaped structure can realize the effective transmission of fluid and the effective connection of circuit. It can be used to prepare an array of water evaporation-induced paper-based generators. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating the fabrication method of a V-shaped paper-based generator induced by water evaporation;

[0024] Figure 2 The voltage output diagram of a single-channel V-type paper-based generator;

[0025] Figure 3 The voltage output diagram is for a water generator with 6 channels connected in series. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments and accompanying drawings, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. All raw materials involved in the present invention can be purchased directly from the market. For process parameters not specifically specified, conventional techniques can be referred to.

[0027] Example 1:

[0028] First, use a paper cutter to cut the hydrophilic filter paper into strips 1-4cm wide;

[0029] Secondly, the surface of the paper-based material is treated with UV-curable ink to make it hydrophobic, with the side that is designed with a V-shaped structure being treated. The area treated by the UV curing machine becomes a hydrophobic area, while the area that is not treated by the UV curing ink and UV light becomes a hydrophilic area.

[0030] Finally, a hydrophobic conductive ink is evenly applied to the surface of the hydrophobic region to connect it to the hydrophilic region. After drying, the paper is folded in half to form multiple V-shaped strips, completing the entire preparation process.

[0031] The UV curing machine used in Example 1 was sourced from Shenzhen Runwo Electromechanical Co., Ltd.

[0032] The UV-curable ink used is a UV-curable transparent ink, and the conductive ink used has CH-8 as its component.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, this invention provides a water evaporation-induced V-shaped paper-based generator. The generator includes a hydrophobic conductive region and a hydrophilic region. The hydrophobic conductive region is the area on the hydrophilic paper surface that has been treated with UV-curable ink and coated with the ink (only one side of the paper needs to be coated). The hydrophilic region is the area on the paper surface that has not been treated with UV-curable ink. The bottom of the hydrophilic region is where a deionized water sample is added. The fluid is continuously transported to the top and connected to the conductive region by the capillary force of the paper and the natural evaporation of water.

[0034] Figure 2 and Figure 3The diagrams show the voltage output of a single-channel and a series connection of six channels in a V-shaped paper-based generator. A single "V-shaped structure" represents a single channel, while a V-shaped paper-based generator contains multiple sets of "V-shaped structure" channels. Immersing one end of the V-shaped paper-based generator in water allows for a single-channel water generator to output 0.3V. Series connection is achieved by applying conductive ink to the hydrophobic areas. A six-channel water generator can achieve an output of approximately 1.9V. Voltage output was measured using a Keithley 7510 multimeter. Further series and parallel connections are possible as needed. This clean and green energy source, obtained from water evaporation, has significant development potential in future energy applications.

[0035] The above embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments. Any changes, modifications, substitutions, combinations, or simplifications made without departing from the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be considered equivalent substitutions and shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A V-shaped paper-based generator induced by water evaporation, characterized in that... Including hydrophobic regions, hydrophilic regions, and conductive regions; The hydrophobic region refers to the area where a hydrophilic paper base surface is treated with UV-curable ink and then irradiated with a UV curing machine. The hydrophilic region refers to the area on the paper base surface that has not been treated with hydrophobic ink by UV curing and has not been treated with UV curing machine irradiation; The conductive area refers to the area where the hydrophobic area is covered by conductive ink. The bottom of the hydrophilic region is used to add water to connect the hydrophobic and conductive regions. Capillary action transports the water to the top, and surface evaporation causes the internal water to flow continuously.

2. The method for preparing a water evaporation-induced V-shaped paper-based generator according to claim 1, characterized in that... Includes the following steps: (1) Cut the hydrophilic paper material into strips; (2) The surface of the paper base material is designed with a V-shaped structure. The surface is treated with UV curing ink to make it hydrophobic. The area treated by the UV curing machine becomes a hydrophobic area, while the area that has not been treated with UV curing ink and UV light becomes a hydrophilic area. (3) Coat the surface of the hydrophobic region with hydrophobic conductive ink and connect it with the boundary of the hydrophilic region so that the conductive ink can be evenly covered to the hydrophobic region. After drying, fold the paper in half to form multiple sets of V-shaped paper strips to complete the entire preparation process.

3. The method for preparing a water evaporation-induced V-shaped paper-based generator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The hydrophilic paper material mentioned in step (1) is one of filter paper, writing paper, or blotting paper; the strip shape refers to cutting the hydrophilic paper material into strips with a width of 1-4 cm.

4. The method for preparing a water evaporation-induced V-shaped paper-based generator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The UV-curable ink mentioned in step (2) is a UV-curable transparent ink.

5. The method for preparing a water evaporation-induced V-shaped paper-based generator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The conductive ink component mentioned in step (3) is one of CH-8 carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphite, and silver paste.

6. The method for preparing a water evaporation-induced V-shaped paper-based generator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The drying process described in step (3) refers to drying at 70°C for 4 hours.

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