A durable triboelectric nanogenerator with a coaxial counter-rotating design for efficient harvesting of random mechanical energy. (January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ma, Guoliang; Wang, Dakai; Wang, Jingxiang; Li, Jianhao; Wang, Ze; Li, Bo; Mu, Zhengzhi; Niu, Shichao; Zhang, Junqiu; Ba, Kaixian; Yu, Bin; Liu, Qiang; Han, Zhiwu; Ren, Luquan
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 105(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Subjects: Triboelectric nanogenerator -- Counter-rotating propellers -- Coaxial counter-rotating design -- Soft-contact free-rotating structure -- Mechanical 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.2022.108006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: Harvesting ambient mechanical energy is a crucial technology for realizing self-powered electronics, which are widely used in wireless sensing networks, implantable devices, and portable electronics. However, mechanical motions in the environment are random, low-frequency, and limited in amplitude, making it challenging to recycle these energies efficiently and stably. Herein, inspired by counter-rotating propellers, a triboelectric nanogenerator based on a coaxial counter-rotating unit (CCR-TENG) was designed and fabricated. Specifically, the CCR-TENG consists of a coaxial counter-rotating unit and a free-rotating disk triboelectric nanogenerator (FRD-TENG). The coaxial counter-rotating unit plays a primary role in converting random ambient mechanical motions into high-speed relative rotation motion. Accordingly, the generated electronic energy of CCR-TENG is improved by more than 15 times compared with conventional devices through the efficient motion mode conversion. Moreover, by introducing a soft nylon fur layer into the FRD-TENG, the surface triboelectric charges are replenished in soft contact mode under the mechanical excitation. Thereby, the output performance and durability of the CCR-TENG are further improved. Remarkably, 180 LEDs and three typical portable electronics were continuously powered using CCR-TENG to harvest energy from random human motions. This work provides a promising strategy for the efficient and stable harvesting of ambient mechanical energy. Graphical Abstract: Inspired by counter-rotating propellers, a CCR-TENG was designed and fabricated to efficiently and stably harvest energy from human motion, ocean waves, and other mechanical motions with low-frequency, random and limited amplitude characteristics. Further, this work also provides a promising way for the realization of next-generation self-sustaining IoT. ga1 Highlights: An efficient and durable TENG was designed and fabricated based on a coaxial counter-rotating unit. The output performance and durability of CCR-TENG is improved by the introduction of a soft nylon fur layer. This work provides a promising strategy for the efficient and stable harvesting of ambient mechanical energy.