Charge Dispersion Strategy for High‐Performance and Rain‐Proof Triboelectric Nanogenerator

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is becoming a sustainable and renewable way of energy harvesting and self‐powered sensing, because of its low cost, simple structure, and high efficiency. However, the output current of existing TENGs is still low. We propose that the output current of TENGs could be dramatically improved if the triboelectric charges could distribute inside the triboelectric layers. Herein, we developed a novel single‐electrode conductive network‐based TENG (CN‐TENG) by introducing a conductive network of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in dielectric triboelectric layer of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). In this CN‐TENG, the contact electrification‐induced charges distribute not only on the surface but also interior of the dielectric TPU layer. Thus, the short‐circuit current of CN‐TENG improved for 100 folds, compared with that of traditional dielectric TENG. Additionally, our CN‐TENG, even without packing, can work stably in high‐humidity environments and even in the rain, which is another main challenge for conventional TENGs due to charge leakage. Furthermore, our CN‐TENG was applied, for the first time, to successfully distinguish conductive and dielectric materials. This work provides a new and effective strategy to fabricate TENGs with high output current and humidity‐resistivity, greatly expanding their practical applications in energy harvesting, movement sensing, human‐machine interaction, etc.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Phase-Directed Assembly of Triboelectric Nanopaper for Self-Powered Noncontact Sensing

“…Noncontact triboelectric sensing technology will drive a paradigm shift in the IoT ecology, enabling real-time monitoring of wearable sensors in harsh or resource-constrained environments . However, the issue of signal accuracy and stability arising from complex operating environments has also emerged. − Among them, temperature interference restricts the potential applications of noncontact sensing in extreme environments. Elevated temperatures lead to the dissipation of triboelectric charges, thereby decreasing the sensitivity and stability of the sensor .…”