Designable functional polymer nanocomposites via layer-by-layer assembly for highly deformable power-boosted triboelectric nanogenerators

In this study, a designable functional polymer nanocomposite (FPN) layer has been employed to effectively boost the output performance of highly deformable triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) via a facile, simple, low-cost, reproducible, and eco-friendly layer-by-layer (LbL) process. The FPN interlayer with 2-16 bilayers between a negative tribomaterial and an electrode was designed by titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (called as T-FPN). Owing to its high dielectric and surface charge maintaining characteristics, TENG with 12 bilayer T-FPN could exhibit a surface charge density of 120 mu C/m2 and a surface potential of 649 mV. As a result, a maximum voltage of 568 V and a maximum current density of 86 mA/m(2) were achieved at 4 Hz and 10 N, which were about 3.8 and 5.7-times greater than those without the T-FPN layer, respectively. More importantly, the T-FPN-based TENG exhibited highly deformable (i.e., bendable, foldable, and rollable) owing to the durable polymer nanocomposite and strongly incorporated interfaces prepared by the LbL assembly technique, which preserves the mechanical characteristics (i.e., no cracks and no delamination) of the original materials. Finally, the optimized T-FPN-based TENG lit up 117 green light-emitting diodes and powered the portable electronic calculator. The designable FPN via the LbL method can be a potential approach for the future development of sustainable energy sources for powering flexible portable electronic devices.

Automated summary

This study successfully enhances the output performance of highly deformable triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) using a designable functional polymer nanocomposite layer. The TENG with this layer showed improved voltage and current density, and could also maintain its mechanical characteristics under deformation. The study demonstrates the potential of using the layer-by-layer method for sustainable energy sources in flexible electronic devices.