The environmental
pollution issues caused by plastic-based polymers
have become serious concerns over the past few decades. Accordingly,
the need for using green and ecofriendly polymers in triboelectric
nanogenerators (TENGs) is gradually increasing. In this research,
the glycerol paper-based sodium lauroyl glutamate (SLG)-TENG with
an antibacterial effect and also water and oil solubility has been
successfully developed by a facile vacuum filtration method. Silver
nanowire (AgNW) and carbon nanotube (CNT) layers were deposited by
casting their respective dispersions in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) on
SLG. During the fabrication process, concentrations of CNTs and AgNWs
were varied from 0.35 to 0.5 wt % for CNTs, and from 0.05 to 0.3 wt
% for AgNWs to determine the optimal concentration. From the electrical
output measurements, it was observed that the CNT-based SLG-TENG showed
a high open-circuit voltage (V
oc) and
short-circuit current (I
sc) at 0.425 wt
% while the AgNW-based SLG-TENG showed enhanced electrical properties
at 0.15 wt %. A detailed explanation for the existence of the optimal
point for CNTs and AgNW-based SLG-TENG is given by using the results
of ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy.
Furthermore, the antibacterial effect has been strongly proven from
the consequences of bacteria cultivation on SLG. Due to these peculiar
properties of SLG-TENG, we have tested its applicability as a skin-attachable
sensor, writing sensor, water leakage sensor, and humidity sensor
and discussed its results with supporting videos. This work gives
new insights into the simple design of biodegradable and antibacterial
TENG-based wearable sensors in real life.