SLIPS-TENG: robust triboelectric nanogenerator with optical and charge transparency using a slippery interface

Abstract

Energy harvesting devices that prosper in harsh environments are highly demanded in a wide range of applications ranging from wearable and biomedical devices to self-powered and intelligent systems. Particularly, over the past several years, the innovation of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) that efficiently convert ambient kinetic energy of water droplets or wave power to electricity has received growing attention. One of the main bottlenecks for the practical implications of such devices originates from the fast degradation of the physiochemical properties of interfacial materials under harsh environments. To overcome these challenges, here we report the design of a novel slippery lubricant-impregnated porous surface (SLIPS) based TENG, referred to as SLIPS-TENG, which exhibits many distinctive advantages over conventional design including optical transparency, configurability, self-cleaning, flexibility, and power generation stability, in a wide range of working environments. Unexpectedly, the slippery and configurable lubricant layer not only serves as a unique substrate for liquid/droplet transport and optical transmission, but also for efficient charge transfer. Moreover, we show that there exists a critical thickness in the liquid layer, below which the triboelectric effect is almost identical to that without the presence of such a liquid film. Such an intriguing charge transparency behavior is reminiscent of the wetting transparency and van der Waals potential transparency of graphene previously reported, though the fundamental mechanism remains to be elucidated. We envision that the marriage of these two seemingly totally different arenas (SLIPS and TENG) provides a paradigm shift in the design of robust and versatile energy devices that can be used as a clean and longer-lifetime alternative in various working environments.

Harvesting energy from high‐frequency impinging water droplets by a droplet‐based electricity generator

“…In spite of this, the energy stored in raindrops, river, and ocean waves remains largely unexplored owing to their low‐frequency motion that is not compatible with the state of art electromagnetic techniques. Over the past decade, various techniques ranging from triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), 1‐11 hydrovoltaic technology, 12‐16 piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG), 17,18 to reverse electrodialysis, 19 have been developed to harvest these untapped energies with the aim for practical applications in various self‐powered and wireless electronics technologies 20‐23 . In these methods, the generation and transfer of charges are mainly dictated by the interfacial properties of dielectric materials including structural, physical and chemical aspects as well as their interaction with liquid such as flowing, reciprocating, diffusing, sliding, and bouncing.…”

Breaking the symmetry to suppress the Plateau–Rayleigh instability and optimize hydropower utilization

“…Droplet impact on solid surfaces has been extensively investigated owing to its significance in various fields such as hydroelectric power collection 1 – 4 , inkjet printing 5 – 8 , and anti-icing 9 – 14 . A very essential branch is the investigation of the droplet instability suppression after impacting on various surfaces.…”

Tiny water droplet with huge power

“…Although traditional hydraulic power generation is more applicable to continuous flow of water, it becomes inefficient with relatively less rainfall supply [2]. Therefore, a new strategy to harvest the kinetic energy stored in the form of raindrops is highly desired.Compared with the heavy and bulky instruments in the conventional power generator, the development of advanced nanotechnology and nanomaterials sheds new light on the design of intricate electricity generators [3][4][5][6]. Among them, the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has gained world-wide attention [4].…”

“…Therefore, a new strategy to harvest the kinetic energy stored in the form of raindrops is highly desired.Compared with the heavy and bulky instruments in the conventional power generator, the development of advanced nanotechnology and nanomaterials sheds new light on the design of intricate electricity generators [3][4][5][6]. Among them, the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has gained world-wide attention [4]. Based on the solid/liquid interface, TENG uses the coupling effect of the friction electrification and electrostatic induction between water and a solid surface to convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy.…”

“…Compared with the heavy and bulky instruments in the conventional power generator, the development of advanced nanotechnology and nanomaterials sheds new light on the design of intricate electricity generators [3][4][5][6]. Among them, the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has gained world-wide attention [4].…”