Triboelectric Nanogenerator from Used Surgical Face Mask and Waste Mylar Materials Aiding the Circular Economy

Abstract

Apart from claiming the lives of more than 3.2 million people, the COVID-19 pandemic is worsening the global plastic pollution every day, mainly with the overflux of single-use polypropylene (PP) face masks. In this scenario, as an innovative solution to mitigate plastic pollution as well as to meet the rising electrical energy demand, we are introducing an all-flexible and facile waste material-based triboelectric nanogenerator (WM-TENG), aiding toward the circular economy. The WM-TENG operating in contact separation mode is fabricated using the PP from a used face mask in combination with recovered Mylar sheets from solid wastes as triboelectric contact layers and a flexible supporting structure. After detailed investigation and trials to study the effect of various disinfection mechanisms of PP materials on the energy output of WM-TENG, UV-C radiation is selected for disinfecting the used masks owing to the retention of electrical energy output. Under a tapping force of 3 N, the WM-TENG having an active area of 6 cm2 delivers an open-circuit voltage of 200 V and a short-circuit current density of 0.29 mA/m2, respectively. The WM-TENG also delivered a maximum power density of 71.16 mW/m2 under 108 Ω load. Additionally, the WM-TENG is demonstrated for powering electronic gadgets such as a calculator, digital thermometer, and LCD clock. This flexible and low-cost nanogenerator without any complex fabrication steps is a sustainable solution for the alarming plastic pollution as well as the rising energy demands.

Multifunctional Filter Membranes Based on Self-Assembled Core–Shell Biodegradable Nanofibers for Persistent Electrostatic Filtration through the Triboelectric Effect

“…Because masks cannot be reused due to concerns about secondary transmission, used masks must be discarded in a landfill or incinerated, both of which cause pollution. With the recent surge in demand from the COVID-19 pandemic, the mask-induced pollution issue has rapidly become a global environmental crisis. − In fact, according to domestic standards, about 20 million individual masks are discarded into the landfill on a daily basis . Therefore, it is imperative that a sustainable alternative to conventional mask filters should be developed to mitigate their toll on the environment.…”

High-Performance Flexible Piezoelectric Nanogenerator Based on Electrospun PVDF-BaTiO3 Nanofibers for Self-Powered Vibration Sensing Applications

“…are some of the frequently used terms in this modern era of IoT and smart connected society. − However, for achieving the sustainable development goals, next-generation electronics and sensor networks should be powered via clean, continuous, and sustainable energy sources rather than chemical batteries. In this regard, scavenging energy from the surroundings, especially mechanical energy harvesting, is an interesting area of research for realizing self-powered electronic systems. − Nanogenerators are the state-of-the-art mechanical energy harvesters, which convert mechanical energy from various ambient sources such as vibrations from machines, acoustic waves, air or fluid flows, and human motions into useful electrical energy. − Piezoelectric, triboelectric, and electromagnetic nanogenerators are the most common technologies that are widely used for this purpose. − The first nanogenerator was fabricated by Wang et al. using the piezoelectric properties of ZnO in 2006 .…”

Mylar Interlayer-Mediated Performance Enhancement of a Flexible Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Self-Powered Pressure Sensing Application

“…The increasing demand for electrical energy in the society, as a consequence of the technological advances, compelled us to seek new sources of energy. Considering the environmental issues associated with conventional energy sources, green energy harvesters and energy autonomous systems have attained greater attention. − Due to the high output performance, extensive range of material availability, structural simplicity, inexpensive fabrication process, and great design flexibility, the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has proved its great acceptance as a sustainable power supply as well as a self-powered sensor for various applications. − TENGs are promising candidates among green energy harvesters, converting waste mechanical energy from the environment and human motions into useful electrical energy through the combined effect of triboelectrification and electrostatic induction. , All materials in this world exhibit triboelectrification that can be found in our day-to-day life when two materials come into frictional contact . Triboelectric charges flow from one material to another when they come into contact frequently and are separated by an applied external force …”