Single-Layer Triboelectric Nanogenerators Based on Ion-Doped Natural Nanofibrils

Abstract

As emerging ambient energy harvesting technology, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have proven to be a robust power source and have demonstrated the unique ability to power micro−nano electronics autonomously to form self-powered devices. Although four working modes of TENGs have been developed to promote the feasibility of self-powered micro−nano systems, the relatively complicated structure composed of multilayer and movable components limits the practical applications of TENGs. Herein, we propose a single-layer triboelectric nanogenerator (SL-TENG) based on iondoped natural nanofibrils. Compared with the simplest mode of currently existing TENGs, i.e., the single-electrode type, this novel single-electrode TENG further simplifies the configuration by the removal of the dielectric layer. The underlying mechanism of the proposed SL-TENG is comprehensively investigated through electrical measurements and the analysis of the effect of ion species at different concentrations. In contrast to conventional TENGs that require electrodes to realize charge transfer, it is revealed that the ions doped into natural nanofibrils effectively realize charge transfer due to the separation and migration of cations and anions. This new working principle based on the combination of electrons and ions enables TENGs to show greater potential for applications since the ultrasimple single-layer configuration enables them to be more easily integrated with other electronic components; additionally, the whole device of the proposed SL-TENG is biodegradable because the natural nanofibrils are completely extracted from carrots.

Flexible Hybrid Photo-Thermoelectric Generator Based on Single Thermoelectric Effect for Simultaneously Harvesting Thermal and Radiation Energies

“…Materials and technologies that are suitable for a variety of renewable energies, such as radiation energy (solar energy), wind energy, and tidal energy, have been established over the last decades. , At the same time, the energy harvesting technologies for micro/nanoenergies, such as (surface) biothermal energy and biomechanical energy, have been developed to scavenge energies from the human body to power wearable microsystems or electronic devices using thermoelectric, pyroelectric, triboelectric, and piezoelectric effects. − Researchers have explored ways to enhance the output performance and stability of energy harvesting devices so that they can meet the power demands of various application scenarios. − The most widely used approaches are to introduce new materials, design new structures, prepare surface microstructures, and integrate multiple mechanisms. − Hybrid mechanisms for simultaneously harvesting multiple energies present a dominant trend due to easy implementation and considerable output. − However, integrating multiple energy harvesting mechanisms usually increases device structure complexity and size (especially for photoelectric devices), which are not conducive for the further integration and miniaturization of self-powered wearable microsystems.…”

Electron-Ion Coupling Mechanism to Construct Stable Output Performance Nanogenerator

“…Figure 1(a) shows the illustration of the proposed SOP-TENG which was integrated by the CaCl 2 -CNF film and screen-printed electrode. Using the method presented in our previous work [ 22 ], the CaCl 2 -CNF film regenerated from the cellulose tissues of carrots was prepared. The experimental process is briefly summarized as follows.…”

“…Based on different mechanisms, including the piezoelectric effect, electromagnetic effect, and electrostatic effect, ambient mechanical energy can be converted to electrical power using the corresponding mechanical energy harvesters, i.e., piezoelectric nanogenerators [14][15][16][17], electromagnetic generators [18,19], and elec-trostatic nanogenerators [20]. In 2012, a novel power collecting device named as the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) was first introduced [21], proving to be a configuration-simple [22], cost-effective [23], and high energy conversion efficiency [24][25][26] for mechanical energy harvesting [27][28][29]. According to different types of working mechanisms, TENGs can be categorized into four modes: contact-separation [30][31][32], single-electrode [33,34], freestanding [35,36], and relative sliding [37][38][39].…”

Wearable Electronics Powered by Triboelectrification between Hair and Cloth for Monitoring Body Motions

“…As a result, choosing natural triboelectric materials is a feasible idea for lowering the cost and processing difficulty of TENGs. [15][16][17][18][19][20] In addition, the theory of quantitative triboelectric series provides the theoretical basis for us to further enhance TENGs' performance by choosing appropriate triboelectric pairs that are completely opposite in their ability to obtain or lose electrons after contact electrification. [21,22] Hair is a very common biomaterial that is primarily composed of protein, particularly alpha-keratin.…”