Increased Interfacial Area between Dielectric Layer and Electrode of Triboelectric Nanogenerator toward Robustness and Boosted Energy Output

Abstract

Given the operation conditions wherein mechanical wear is inevitable, modifying bulk properties of the dielectric layer of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has been highlighted to boost its energy output. However, several concerns still remain in regards to the modification due to high-cost materials and cumbersome processes being required. Herein, we report TENG with a microstructured Al electrode (TENG_ME) as a new approach to modifying bulk properties of the dielectric layer. The microstructured Al electrode is utilized as a component of TENG to increase the interfacial area between the dielectric layer and electrode. Compared to the TENG with a flat Al electrode (TENG_F), the capacitance of TENG_ME is about 1.15 times higher than that of TENG_F, and the corresponding energy outputs of a TENG_ME are 117 μA and 71 V, each of which is over 1.2 times higher than that of the TENG_F. The robustness of TENG_ME is also confirmed in the measurement of energy outputs changing after sandpaper abrasion tests, repetitive contact, and separation (more than 105 cycles). The results imply that the robustness and long-lasting performance of the TENG_ME could be enough to apply in reliable auxiliary power sources for electronic devices.

Synthesis and fabrication of self-sustainable triboelectric energy case for powering smart electronic devices

“…In case of the back part, the output voltage with the capacitors of 0.1 and 0.3 µF was measured as 8.7 and 5.2 V respectively. The 0.3 µF capacitor charges slower than the 0.1 µF capacitor due to the higher loss of charges in the capacitor [80,83,84]. In addition, the output voltage of the front part with the 1, 3.3 and 10 µF capacitors were observed to be 0.78, 0.4 and 0.29 V respectively after charging the capacitors for 60s.…”

“…Firstly, the output response of TESTEC was studied by integrating with a full wave bridge rectifier. Figure 5a After examining the device with the full bridge rectifier, the device was examined with capacitor to test the prospect of storing energy from the tapping and stepping motion as well as providing constant bias voltage to power touch based electronic equipment [80,83]. Figure 5d and 5e demonstrates schematic and optical view of the equivalent circuit diagram where the device was integrated with a full bridge rectifier and a capacitor.…”

2D Materials‐Based Electrochemical Triboelectric Nanogenerators

“…Strategies so far used to improve TENGs power output include the search for novel, more efficient tribomaterials, [1,20,7] their nano and micro-structuration to increase the triboelectrification charging, [21] the use of charge trapping additives, [22][23][24] novel electrode engineering [25,26] and functional interlayers [27] placed at the interface between the electrode and the tribomaterial. Within this scenario, 2D materials have played a significant role [28][29][30] as they can be used as tribomaterials, [20] charge-trapping additives, [28] or electrodes as in the case of graphene-based electrodes.…”

Evaluation through finite element and numerical simulation of triboelectric polymer pairs in vertical contact mode

“…With the development of four modes of operation of triboelectric generators to generate electric potential, vertical contact mode where tribo materials are vertically moved apart; sliding mode where the tribo materials are slide apart, single electrode mode and free-standing mode the TENGs are used in various applications as energy recovery and regeneration system. Considering the mechanical wear of the materials in contact, vertical contact mode is of high significance in the research area for its improvement [9]. Studies have shown the efficiency of the TENG depends on the material aspects in terms of the morphology, geometry and properties.…”