Iontrovoltaic effect based on triboelectrically induced ion polarization at semiconductor-liquid interfaces.

Ionrovoltaic effect enhances energy conversion at semiconductor-liquid interfaces with a peak power density of 541 W/m², surpassing other triboelectric systems.

• Why it matters: Controlling interfacial energy levels is essential for efficient energy conversion but remains challenging due to complex charge interactions, limiting device performance and applications.
• What they did: The study employed triboelectric-induced ionic polarization to modulate electrical double layers and semiconductor band bending, using techniques like pH mapping and Kelvin probe measurements across nanogenerators.
• The result: This approach enables efficient ionic-electronic transport and high power output, paving the way for autonomous, low-power ionic-electronic systems driven by interfacial electrostatics.