Synergetic Enhancement of Triboelectric Nanogenerators’ Performance Based on Patterned Membranes Fabricated by Phase‐Inversion Process

Abstract

A triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is an environmentally friendly energyharvesting technology that has attracted considerable research attention as a sustainable energy source. Herein, a synergetic enhancement of TENGs' performance using patterned polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nylon membranes and polymer membranes based on a facile phase-inversion process is reported. The phase-inversion method provides simple and fast patterned membrane formation to increase the surface area. The pyramid-patterned membranes are similar in size for both PVDF and nylon 6,6. In addition, the phase transition and crystallinity of PVDF and nylon are not varied, even after the patterning process, because the cooling rate is kept constant during the phase-inversion process. In a vertical contact-separation mode of the TENG operation, the patterned PVDF and nylon membranes show %2.5 times higher output performance in both the output voltage and current compared with that of the flat membranes. In addition, the performance of the patterned PVDF and nylon membranes does not degrade, even after 5000 cycle tests, because of the elastic nature of the patterned surfaces.

Electrostatic Induction Nanogenerator Boosted by One‐Dimensional Metastructure: Application to Energy and Information Transmitting Smart Tag System

“…The PVDF-coated wafer was immersed immediately into a DI water bath at 20 °C to induce phase inversion for delamination of the PVDF membrane from the supporting substrate. [33][34][35][36] The PVDF membrane was delaminated spontaneously from the silicon wafer within a few seconds using a phase inversion process, as shown in Figure 1b. The separated PVDF membrane was dried in a vacuum oven at 25 °C for 24 h.…”

Hybrid-Structured Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes as Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Self-Powered Wearable Electronics

“…6,7 TENGs generally consist of two friction layers with different charged characteristics, which can induce surface charge transfer through triboelectric and electrostatic effects during their contact process. 8,9 The resulting local electric field can accelerate the microbial capturing rate or promote protein expression. 10,11 Therefore, the output performance of TENGs can be enhanced by selecting the optimal friction materials or introducing electrets to increase surface charges.…”

“…10,11 Therefore, the output performance of TENGs can be enhanced by selecting the optimal friction materials or introducing electrets to increase surface charges. 9 The selection of triboelectric materials for two friction layers mainly follows the relative electron affinity difference and electron-donating environment. 12 The composition of material elements affects its properties, such as materials containing nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) to donate electrons, and materials containing fluorine (F) to attract electrons.…”

“…Traditional batteries need to be recharged frequently and are highly toxic, and their rigidity also affects the comfort, safety, and portability characteristics of the fabricated wearable devices. , Therefore, many researchers are developing various self-powered electronics based on thermoelectric, moist-electric, triboelectric, and piezoelectric nanogenerators to address the energy supply needs of wearable electronics . Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can effectively collect mechanical energy such as human movement, wind, and water energy, and convert it into electrical energy, which can charge implantable medical devices or other electronics with tiny footprints. , TENGs generally consist of two friction layers with different charged characteristics, which can induce surface charge transfer through triboelectric and electrostatic effects during their contact process. , The resulting local electric field can accelerate the microbial capturing rate or promote protein expression. , Therefore, the output performance of TENGs can be enhanced by selecting the optimal friction materials or introducing electrets to increase surface charges . The selection of triboelectric materials for two friction layers mainly follows the relative electron affinity difference and electron-donating environment .…”

Economical Polypropylene‐Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Self‐Powered Biomechanical Sensor Application

“…The key to improving the output efficiency of TENG depends on the parameters, which are the choice of tribal‐active materials, surface charge density, and the device structure. [ 14–17 ] In general, the materials such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), nylon, polyimide (PI), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are the most conventional triboelectric materials used in TENG, but these are relatively expensive. Another key parameter is increasing surface charge density, which can be achieved through techniques such as plasma processing, [ 18 ] ion injection, [ 19 ] chemical treatment, [ 20 ] freeze–drying, [ 21 ] sputtering, [ 22 ] and electrospinning, [ 23 ] which are time‐consuming, need expensive equipment and complicated procedures.…”