Liquid–Solid Triboelectric Nanogenerator Arrays Based on Dynamic Electric‐Double‐Layer for Harvesting Water Wave Energy

Abstract

In the new energy era, ocean wave energy is recognized as one of the most important clean and renewable energy sources. As an advanced energy technology, developing triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) to harvest ocean wave energy has become a promising research direction. However, for most of the current fully enclosed TENGs or liquid–solid TENGs, the industrialization is limited. In this work, a TENG with a new working scheme is proposed for water wave energy harvesting. Through designing the opposite dynamic electric‐double‐layers, the efficient conversion of water kinetic energy into electrical energy is achieved. Moreover, the TENG structure is extended to an array. Under irregular water waves, the TENG array exhibits desired output performance, with the stable output current of 60.0 µA, output voltage of 60.0 V, and average power density of 5.38 W m−3. Finally, the TENG array is demonstrated to successfully power signal spotlights, the digital thermometer and the water quality detector. This study not only broadens the research ideas for TENGs, but also provides a new mechanism for the ocean wave energy exploitation, which is of great significance to the industrialization of TENGs and blue energy.

Recent progress towards smart transportation systems using triboelectric nanogenerators

“…TENG has emerged as a promising technology due to its cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and ability to harness irregular and low-frequency mechanical energy. Several TENG structures, including rolling structures, liquid-solid structures, and rotary disks, have been suggested for wave energy harvesting [122][123][124][125].…”

“…Furthermore, it is anticipated that LS-TENG will exhibit stability for 10 years. In 2023, Liang's research group also created an asymmetric liquid-solid TENG (DE-TENG) [123]. DE-TENG was composed of two rectangular acrylic panels (70 mm × 65 mm × 2 mm) aligned with a 2 mm gap.…”

Recent advances in solid–liquid triboelectric nanogenerator technologies, affecting factors, and applications

“…This asymmetric structure is composed of electric-double-layers, the two layers carry positive and negative charges respectively during friction (polypropylene dielectric with positive charge and polyvinyl dielectric with negative charge), the charge transfer therefore produced electric energy (Fig. 10 b) 111 .

Figure 10 S–L TENG on applications in the area of energy harvesting.

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“…( a ) A picture of the structure of OS-TENG and its envisioned large-scale collection of mechanical energy from ocean waves 110 . ( b ) DE-TENG asymmetric plate structure 111 . ( c ) A LST-TENG structure picture 91 .…”

Fluorine-free coating-based droplet triboelectric nanogenerators for highly efficient energy harvesting

“…The design of TENG device structures and friction material surface structures plays a crucial role in improving the output performance of SL-TENGs. Following nearly a decade of advancement, researchers have continually enhanced the performance and efficiency of SL-TENGs via material preparation 7–11 and modification, 12–14 device structural design, 15–20 and external condition manipulation. 21–24 Peng et al developed a droplet-based TENG featuring organic coatings and arc-shaped surface structures, capable of achieving an output performance of 18 μA.…”