A Dual-Mode Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Wind Energy Harvesting and Self-Powered Wind Speed Monitoring

Abstract

The triboelectric nanogenerator shows a broad application potential in wind energy collection and wind speed sensing. However, it is difficult to realize wind energy collection and real-time wind speed monitoring in one simple device without external power support. Here, a high-performance dual-mode triboelectric nanogenerator is proposed to simultaneously collect wind energy efficiently and monitor wind speed in real time, which is composed by an alternating current triboelectric nanogenerator (AC-TENG) and a direct-current triboelectric nanogenerator (DC-TENG). Based on the material optimization, the charge density of the AC-TENG improves by a factor of 1 compared with previous works. Moreover, benefiting from the elastic structure and material optimization to realize a low friction force, the AC-TENG shows an excellent durability and obtains a retention of 87% electric output after 1 200 000 operation cycles. Meanwhile, thanks to the high charge density and low friction force, the energy-harvesting efficiency of the AC-TENG is doubled. In addition, the DC-TENG not only displays an excellent real-time sensing performance but also can provide gale warning. Our finding exhibits a strategy for efficiently collecting wind energy and achieving fully self-powered and real-time wind speed monitoring.

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“…In addition, the OR-TENG and IR-TENG obtain the same trend to charge capacitors of 1.0 and 3.3 mF (Figure S9 and Figure S10). With its advantages, the W-TENG exhibits a charge density of 113.8 μC m –2 , which stands out from the previous related works (Figure p). ,,− …”

“…In order to address this issue, enhancing the charge density of the TENG is usually attempted. Nevertheless, after material selection, structure optimization, etc., , the charge density of the adaptive rotatory TENG, which is competitive in enlarging the output at high frequency while maintaining a high stability, is still no more than 76.5 μC m –2 . The main reason may derive from the inadequate contact and relatively low triboelectrification .…”

“…For example, replacing the fluorinated ethylene propylene/Cu (FEP/Cu) dielectric pairs by polyfluorotetraethylene/Cu (PTFE/Cu) pairs, the charge density increases to 150%. Changing the Cu to polyamide (PA), the charge density doubles . Thus, finding proper dielectric pairs for the TENG with enhanced charge-separation property and large frictional charge amount while disclosing the mechanism will dominantly enhance the charge density of the TENG to output a higher current for practical use.…”

“…Nevertheless, after material selection, structure optimization, etc., 17,18 the charge density of the adaptive rotatory TENG, which is competitive in enlarging the output at high frequency while maintaining a high stability, is still no more than 76.5 μC m −2 . 19 The main reason may derive from the inadequate contact and relatively low triboelectrification. 20 One possible solution is finding proper dielectric pairs to boost the charge separation property and enlarge the quantity of frictional charge.…”

“…Changing the Cu to polyamide (PA), the charge density doubles. 19 Thus, finding proper dielectric pairs for the TENG with enhanced chargeseparation property and large frictional charge amount while disclosing the mechanism will dominantly enhance the charge density of the TENG to output a higher current for practical use.…”