Self-powered triboelectric touch sensor made of 3D printed materials. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Haque, Rubaiyet Iftekharul; Chandran, Olivier; Lani, Sébastien; Briand, Danick
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 52(2018)
• Page Start: 54
• Page End: 62
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: 3D printing -- Triboelectricity -- Self-powered -- Touch sensor -- Energy harvesting; 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.2018.07.038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: A novel approach of fabricating vertical-contact separation mode triboelectric nanogenerator employing three-dimensional (3D) printed functional layers and mechanical spring is presented with the ultimate goal of direct integration of triboelectric sensors with smart 3D objects. Commercially available elastomer TangoBlack is investigated for the first time as soft active triboelectric layer, and rigid polymers, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polyamide (PA), are considered as active triboelectric layers and spring mechanism in a triboelectric touch sensor. Amongst rigid layers, the spring mechanism is prepared using 3D printed PA material since it exhibits structural rigidity along with flexibility. TangoBlack is measured to be slightly above other commercial rigid positive layers in the triboelectric series. We implement a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer printed by direct ink writing which demonstrates, when pairing with TangoBlack, ~ 300% higher average power output than nearest other pairs considered. The touch sensor behavior is evaluated for varying operational active areas, frequencies and applied forces using an automated setup, and for hand and finger tapping. For the load resistance of 273.7 MΩ, hand tapping at 2.0 ± 0.1 Hz provides peak power ( P P ) of 1.2 mW (peak power density of 186.4 μW/cm 2 ), whereas finger tapping at 2.0 ± 0.1 Hz generates P P of 62.9 μW (peak power density of 48.4 μW/cm 2 ). This work represents a major step towards the digital manufacturing of triboelectric nanogenerators which would enable their integration in 3D smart objects, notably soft wearables and robotics. Graphical abstract: Vertical-contact separation mode triboelectric sensor is developed employing 3D printing materials as active triboelectric layers and spring structure. Investigation reveals that the best triboelectric responses are obtained by pairing soft TangoBlack with PDMS layer made by 3D printing. A self-powered triboelectric sensor was fabricated by assembling the soft triboelectric layers with a 3D printed polyamide spring. The sensor exhibits sensitivity towards the active area, amplitude and frequency of the mechanical excitations. fx1 Highlights: 3D printing approach to fabricate triboelectric nanogenerators. Use of 3D printed elastomers and polymers as functional triboelectric layers. Spring mechanism prepared by 3D-printing. Self-powered touch sensor fabrication and characterization.