A Robust Silicone Rubber Strip-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Vibration Energy Harvesting and Multi-Functional Self-Powered Sensing

Abstract

Vibration is a common phenomenon in various fields which can not only indicate the working condition of the installation, but also serve as an energy source if it is efficiently harvested. In this work, a robust silicone rubber strip-based triboelectric nanogenerator (SRS-TENG) for vibration energy harvesting and multi-functional self-powered sensing is proposed and systematically investigated. The SRS-TENG consists of a silicone rubber strip and two aluminum electrode layers supported by polylactic acid (PLA), and acts as a sustainable power source and vibration frequency, amplitude and acceleration sensor as well. The soft contact between the aluminum electrode and silicone rubber strip makes it robust and stable even after 14 days. It can be applied in ranges of vibration frequencies from 5 to 90 Hz, and amplitudes from 0.5 to 9 mm, which shows it has advantages in broadband vibration. Additionally, it can achieve lower startup limits due to its soft structure and being able to work in multi-mode. The output power density of the SRS-TENG can reach 94.95 W/m3, matching a resistance of 250 MΩ, and it can light up more than 100 LEDs and power a commercial temperature sensor after charging capacitors. In addition, the vibration amplitude can be successfully detected and displayed on a human–machine interface. Moreover, the frequency beyond a specific limit can be distinguished by the SRS-TENG as well. Therefore, the SRS-TENG can be utilized as an in situ power source for distributed sensor nodes and a multifunctional self-powered vibration sensor in many scenarios.

Recent Advances in Mechanical Vibration Energy Harvesters Based on Triboelectric Nanogenerators

“…[137] Following these features, an increasing number of VEHs based on TENG adopt deformable materials as freestanding layers to achieve better shape adaptation to enhance triboelectric contact area to raise output power. [138] Recently, by placing the flexible silicone rubber ring in the annular space of the drill pipe, a drill pipeembedded annular type TENG (AT-TENG) was proposed by Du et al to harvest arbitrary direction lateral vibration for the power supply of measurements while drilling system. [54] The structure of AT-TENG is shown in Figure 11a.…”

Solid-Liquid Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Vortex-Induced Resonance

“…Energy harvesters that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy are predominantly divided into three categories according to the principle: electromagnetic, piezoelectric, and electrostatic [ 22 , 23 ]. Among them, the electromagnetic energy harvesters are large in size and high in cost, and the piezoelectric energy harvesters can only be effective under high-frequency vibrations [ 24 , 25 ].…”

All-Silicone Rubber Triboelectric Nanogenerators with Graphite-Impregnated Electrodes

“…Based on these properties, the incorporation of graphite in TENGs can be conveniently explored from the mutual improvement in the surface charge density of graphite as a filler in the anode and as a substituent of metal electrodes for use as current collectors. ,− The development of electronic skin and human movement sensing-based devices are favored by the combination of conducting polymers poly­(3-hexylthiophene) percolated in polydimethylsiloxane to perceive strain, pressure, temperature, and visible light and by TENG touchless devices that are applied for the development of noncontact gesture-recognition systems and the production of breathing-based language expression sensors . Silicone rubber-based TENGs introduce advantages over hydrogel-based devices due to their intrinsic properties such as the resistance to acids, bases, chemicals, and water, which is associated with a simple preparation procedure (room temperature) and a most robust interaction with materials that results in prolonged retention in the mechanical properties under repeated use. − On the other hand, hydrogel-based TENGs are promising candidates for biomedical applications due to their superior properties in terms of biocompatibility and excellent electrical, tensile, and self-healable properties . The drawbacks of hydrogel-based devices involve applications in harsh environments that require modifications so as to provide anti-freezing properties to materials …”