Direct‐Current Triboelectric Nanogenerator Realized by Air Breakdown Induced Ionized Air Channel

Abstract

Air breakdown phenomenon is generally considered as a negative effect in previous research on triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), which is always accompanied by air ionization. Here, by utilizing the air breakdown induced ionized air channel, we designed a direct-current triboelectric nanogenerator (DC-TENG) for harvesting contact-separation mechanical energy. During working process, the charges firstly transfer from bottom to top electrode through an external circuit in contact state, then flow back via the ionized air channel This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. created by air breakdown in separation process. So a unidirectional flow of electrical charges can be observed in the external circuit. With repeating contact-separation cycles, continuous pulsed DC output through external circuit can be realized. This working mechanism was verified by real time electrode potential monitoring, photocurrent signal detection and controllable discharging observation. The DC-TENG can be used for directly and continuously charging an energy storage unit and/or driving electronic devices without using a bridge rectifier. Owing to its simplicity in structure, the mechanism is further applied to fabricate the first flexible DC-TENG. This research provides a significant fundamental study for DC-TENG technology, and may expand its application in flexible electronics and flexible self-charging power systems.

Nanogenerators from Electrical Discharge

“…Jianjun Luo et al [57] reported a DC-TENG realized by air breakdown-induced ionized air channel. The structure of the DC-TENG is illustrated in Figure 8a.…”

“…(i) Charging curve of a 1000-μF capacitor charged by the flexible multilayered DC-TENG (inset shows the photograph of a calculator powered by the charged capacitor). (i-v)The working mechanism of the DC-TENG in stable working state[57].…”

Nature Driven Bio‐Piezoelectric/Triboelectric Nanogenerator as Next‐Generation Green Energy Harvester for Smart and Pollution Free Society

“…To design effective and efficient PNGs, different kinds of piezoelectric and ferroelectric nanostructures have been reported till date, such as, ZnO nanowires, PZT, BaTiO 3 , GaN nanowire, MoS 2 , Pb free piezoceramic crystals, organic/inorganic lead halide perovskites, nylon nanowire, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and its copolymer PVDF‐TrFE, PVDF composite and a lots of research work on TNGs have also been reported with different triboelectric materials . Thus, various toxic and non‐biodegradable/biocompatible organic/inorganic/ceramic materials are extensively used to integrate conventional stretchable/flexible portable and wearable electronics which build up smart electronic wastes ( e ‐waste) in huge amount, producing dangerous environmental pollution .…”

A coplanar‐electrode direct‐current triboelectric nanogenerator with facile fabrication and stable output

“…Luo et al designed an ionized air channel created by air breakdown in the separation process to realize an DC output. 18 In 2019, Liu et al reported a newgeneration DC-TENG to power electronics directly, whose charge density is much higher than that of the conventional TENG. 19 However, these DC-TENG usually requires sharp structures to generate arc/spark discharges, which increase the difficulties in fabrication.…”