High Performance Porous Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Silk Fibroin@MXene Composite Aerogel and PDMS Sponge

Abstract

In this work, we fabricated a high-performance and biocompatible porous triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with friction layers made by silk fibroin (SF)@MXene composite aerogel (SF@MXene-A) and a PDMS sponge. The incorporation of MXene into the SF aerogel increases the specific surface area as well as the resulting surface charge density, providing a way for designing a high-performance aerogel TENG. The TENG with the biocompatible SF aerogel achieves an optimum output performance at a ratio of MXene to SF of about 1:1, obtaining a maximum open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 545 V and maximum short-circuit current (Isc) of 16.13 μA. The Voc of our SF@MXene-A based TENG is about 2–3 times larger than the reported best values of other aerogel-based TENGs. In addition, owing to the recognized biocompatibility and advantageous air permeability of the SF@MXene-A, we designed a bioporous TENG mask that diagnoses asthma symptoms. The SF@MXene-A based TENGs have potential applications as wearable devices for diagnosing breath-relevant diseases.

Silk Fibroin-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Energy Harvesting and Biomedical Applications

“…This is attributed to their substantial specific surface area, which can enhance charge generation and charge density. The work of Tan et al exemplifies this approach, where the incorporation of MXene into SF aerogels not only increases the specific surface area but also enhances the surface charge density. , Compared with those of the pure SF aerogel friction layer, the voltage and current of the MXene doped at a 50% concentration increased by approximately 187% and 113%, respectively. This synergistic combination of silk, MXene, and aerogel material components contributes to optimizing TENG performance (Figure d).…”

“…Copyright 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH. (d) MXene (Ti 3 AlC 2 ) material; reproduced from ref . Copyright 2023 American Chemical Society.…”

“…Copyright 2021 American Chemical Society. (e) Schematic demonstration of the structure of a silk fibroin@MXene composite aerogel (SF@MXene-A); reproduced from ref . Copyright 2023 American Chemical Society.…”

“…The detected power density reached 13.25 W/m 2 , which represents the highest value reported for aerogel-based TENGs. Compared to ordinary thin-film friction layers where the generated charges accumulate at interfaces, in the positive friction layer, which is composed of SF@MXene-A, the triboelectrically induced charges diffuse away from the interface and reside on the surfaces of the interior pores of the friction layers . This approach has the potential to enhance the charge density of the friction layer due to the increased surface area (Figure d).…”

Beyond energy harvesting: a review on the critical role of MXene in triboelectric nanogenerator

“…The TENGs, fabricated via a cost-effective screen-printing process on a stretchable substrate, exhibit remarkable mechanical stability and durability, crucial for real-world applications. 5B] [63] . This novel combination, paired with polyvinylidene fluoride/MXene (PVDF/ MXene) nanofibers, has resulted in a notable increase in transferred charge, reaching 82.4 nC, compared to 38.6 nC from pure thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofibers.…”