Research Article Open Access

Material synthesis and optimization for high performance triboelectric nano generators

Abstract

 Energy harvesting technology is an emerging technology, particularly important for the wireless sensor networks as it is the core technology for internet of things (IoT), smart manufacturing and smart cities, etc. Since, wireless sensors are typically installed on mobile objects, in remote areas or harsh environments, it is extremely challenging to maintain their long-term sensing/monitoring function due to the requests for constant electrical power or periodical replacement of batteries. Energy harvesting technologies have been explored to power wireless sensors by utilizing piezoelectric, pyroelectric, electromagnetic and triboelectric effects. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is regarded as the most suitable one owing to its very high power outputs and conversion efficiency. Great efforts focus on the performance enhancement through the innovations to increase surface charge density. Searching for better materials and optimal combination and modifying materials properties are the two common methods for obtaining triboelectric materials with high surface charge densities. We have been working on these for a while and achieved composite materials with excellent triboelectric properties and various optimal material combinations for TENGs. The talk will highlight our work on the best tribo-positive materials, synthesis of tribo-negative composites using polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) incorporated with piezo/ferroelectric nanomaterials such as ZnO and Barium titanate (BTO) etc, and specific design for the electrode and tribomaterial interfaces. Using the best material combination and optimized device structures, we have fabricated flat-surface TENGs with peak voltage output over 1200 V and instantaneous power density in the range of 40-120 W/m2 with excellent stable function. Author will also present our latest unique technologies of the TENG-based chipless wireless sensors with self-identification capability and TENG as a wireless powersource.

Jikui Luo