Waste‐to‐Energy: Development of a Highly Efficient Keratin Enhanced Chitosan Bio‐Waste‐Derived Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Energy Harvesting and Real Applications

Abstract

In this study, a novel and sustainable triboelectric material is successfully designed and developed by extracting keratin from recycled fur and combining it with chitosan to create a keratin/chitosan triboelectric nanogenerator (CK‐TENG) device. The device is designed for the simultaneous treatment of waste and the generation of green and clean energy, crucial for addressing global challenges. CK is prepared through a freeze‐drying method to overcome the weak mechanical properties of keratin and achieve a high surface contact area, which is important for triboelectric properties. The results showed that the output voltage is improved by 375% compared to the TENG without keratin, with values reaching 322 V under a 6 N. It produced a high power density of 14.4 W m−2 and excellent cyclic stability for more than 8000 cycles, which are crucial for practical applications. Further, the potential applications are also studied, and the results showed that it can turn on over 250 light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), display liquid crystal display (LCD), and charge capacitors under 6 N. Moreover, it is successful in harvesting energy from waste vibrations, acoustic energy, and as a shoe, and the electrical output is utilized to power electronic devices. Furthermore, the power density harvested by the device is higher than that of TENG devices made with keratin‐rich materials. Therefore, this study paves the way for the use of keratin‐based bio‐waste materials for clean and green energy production, which can play significant roles in applications such as the charging of electronic devices, biomedicine, sensors, and smart textiles.

Advanced Triboelectric Applications of Biomass-Derived Materials: A Comprehensive Review

“…Sourced from abundant natural proteins found in hair, feathers, nails, and horns, keratin provides a biodegradable and biocompatible foundation for these composites. When this foundation is enhanced with functional additives [130] or synthetic/natural polymers [131], the resulting composite exhibits superior electrical and mechanical properties (Figure 12), making it highly suitable for TENG applications. This approach not only taps into keratin's inherent biocompatibility and biodegradability but also aligns the composites with environmentally sustainable practices, reflecting a commitment to non-toxic and eco-friendly energy solutions.…”

“…Sourced from abundant natural proteins found in hair, feathers, nails, and horns, keratin provides a biodegradable and biocompatible foundation for these composites. When this foundation is enhanced with functional additives [130] or synthetic/natural polymers [131], the resulting composite exhibits superior electrical and mechanical properties (Figure 12), making it highly suitable for TENG The transformative potential of keratin-based composites in TENG applications is particularly noteworthy. These composites effectively marry the biocompatibility and eco-friendly aspects of keratin with the robustness and enhanced functionality provided by various additives.…”

“…Expanding their utility beyond wearables, these TENGs find critical application in powering self-powered sensors. Given keratin's natural origin, devices built based on this principle are ideally suited for environmental monitoring and healthcare diagnostics [130,131]. In Keratin-based TENGs present versatile applications, capitalizing on their biocompatibility and sustainable origins to offer innovative energy solutions across various sectors.…”

“…Expanding their utility beyond wearables, these TENGs find critical application in powering self-powered sensors. Given keratin's natural origin, devices built based on this principle are ideally suited for environmental monitoring and healthcare diagnostics [130,131]. In these contexts, keratin-based TENGs can harness ambient mechanical energies to continuously power sensors that track everything from air quality to patient health indicators or animal movements, providing vital data without the environmental impact associated with traditional power sources.…”

Ferroelectric field enhanced tribocatalytic hydrogen production and RhB dye degradation by tungsten bronze ferroelectrics

“…Tribocatalysis, as a method for converting mechanical energy into chemical energy, has been proven to be an effective means of utilizing mechanical energy. [19][20][21] In recent years, friction energy has been increasingly utilized in the field of catalysis, leading to numerous reports on the degradation of dyes by tribocatalysis, using Ba 0.75 Sr 0.25 TiO 3 , 22 Bi 2 WO 6 , 23 Bi 12 TiO 20 , 24 and FeS 2 . 25 In comparison with other materials, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) exhibits facile electron access during friction, outstanding temperature adaptability, chemical inertness, resilience to strong acids and bases, and exceptional aging resistance.…”