Exploring the theoretical and experimental optimization of high-performance triboelectric nanogenerators using microarchitectured silk cocoon films. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dudem, Bhaskar; Dharmasena, R.D. Ishara G.; Graham, Sontyana Adonijah; Leem, Jung Woo; Patnam, Harishkumarreddy; Mule, Anki Reddy; Silva, S. Ravi P.; Yu, Jae Su
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 74(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Microarchitectured silkworm fibroin film -- Triboelectric nanogenerators -- Distance-dependent electric field -- Alcohol annealing treatment -- Self-powered electronic system; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.104882
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) developed using eco-friendly natural materials instead of traditional electronic materials are more favorable for biocompatible applications, as well as from a sustainable life-cycle analysis perspective. Microarchitectured silkworm fibroin films with high surface roughness and an outstanding ability to lose electrons are used to design TENGs. An alcohol-annealing treatment is utilized to strengthen the resistance of the silk film (SF) against humidity and aqueous solubility. Herein, for the first time, the distance-dependent electric field theoretical model is employed to optimize the TENG parameters to achieve high output, which shows excellent agreement with the experimental outputs of SF-based TENG. The alcohol-treated microarchitectured SF (AT-MASF) with a polytetrafluoroethylene positive contact exhibits a stable and high electrical output even in harsh environments. These studies can lead us closer to the attractive future vision of realizing biodegradable TENG systems for harness/sensing various biomechanical activities even under real/humid environments. The potential and real-time application of the proposed AT-MASF-based TENG is demonstrated by directly employing its electric power to drive a number of low-power portable electronics and for sensing in human-body centric activities. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Silk film with high surface roughness was proposed by an inexpensive technique for TENGs. The alcohol-annealing treatment was performed to strengthen such silk film against humidity and aqueous solubility. The novel DDEF model was adopted to theoretically investigate the optimum triboelectric material opposite to the SF. The surface roughness effect of silk film on the performance of TENG is also investigated by DDEF model. The feasibility of AT-MASF-TENG is demonstrated by sensing daily human-activities.