Revamping Triboelectric Output by Deep Trap Construction

Abstract

High output performance is critical for building triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) for future multifunctional applications. Unfortunately, the high triboelectric charge dissipation rate has a significant negative impact on its electrical output performance. Herein, a new tribolayer is designed through introducing self‐assembled molecules with large energy gaps on commercial PET fibric to form carrier deep traps, which improve charge retention while decreasing dissipation rates. The deep trap density of the PET increases by two orders of magnitude, resulting in an 86% reduction in the rate of charge dissipation and a significant increase in the charge density that can be accumulated on tribolayer during physical contact. The key explanation is that increasing the density of deep traps improves the dielectric's ability to store charges, making it more difficult for the triboelectric charges trapped by the tribolayer to escape from the deep traps, lowering the rate of charge dissipation. This TENG has a 1300% increase in output power density as a result of altering the deep trap density, demonstrating a significant improvement. This work describes a simple yet efficient method for building TENGs with ultra‐high electrical output and promotes their practical implementation in the sphere of the Internet of Things.

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

“…The energy barrier and capture cross-section of these traps confine the triboelectric charges within the electronic bandgap structure. 45 To elucidate the role of the charge retention phase, the electronic band structures of the cellulose phase and the charge retention phase in the triboelectric nanopaper were analyzed using density functional theory (DFT) (Figure 1c and Table S1). The bandgap of the cellulose phase is merely 0.74 eV, indicating that carrier traps are closer to the band edge.…”

“…As illustrated in Figure b, triboelectric charges generated upon contact are retained within carrier traps in the band structure of the triboelectric material. The energy barrier and capture cross-section of these traps confine the triboelectric charges within the electronic bandgap structure . To elucidate the role of the charge retention phase, the electronic band structures of the cellulose phase and the charge retention phase in the triboelectric nanopaper were analyzed using density functional theory (DFT) (Figure c and Table S1).…”

“…Noncontact TENGs offer a promising solution to the challenges of material robustness and device usability. A systematic investigation of the charge retention ability of triboelectric nanopaper at high temperatures is crucial . As depicted in Figure a, Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) measurements reveal that the triboelectric nanopaper with three-dimensional intercalated structure exhibits a higher surface potential compared to pristine nanopaper.…”

“…A systematic investigation of the charge retention ability of triboelectric nanopaper at high temperatures is crucial. 45 As depicted in Figure 3a, Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) measurements reveal that the triboelectric nanopaper with three-dimensional intercalated structure exhibits a higher surface potential compared to pristine nanopaper. Figure 3b presents charge density decay tests for both materials following contact electrification at room temperature.…”