A coupled piezo-triboelectric nanogenerator based on the electrification of biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate food packaging films

This study reports that biaxially oriented silica-filled polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET) films used worldwide as food packaging materials combine unique dual electrification properties that enable the effective conversion of mechanical energy into electricity. The electricity output depends on the physical contact and separation of the polymeric matrix and triboelectric pair material with different affinities for electrons on its surface. To exploit the dual piezoelectric and triboelectric electrification of the films materials, a hybrid piezoelectric triboelectric nanogenerator energy harvester using this film as an electron source was assembled and tested. When BOPET film is paired with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibre network, which due to the electro-negativity difference gained electrons, the performance of the nanogenerator to the output open-circuit increases voltage values above 305 V, and the short-circuit current density and charge density to 12 +/- 1 mu Acm(-2) and 37 +/- 2 mu Cm-2, respectively. Further, underlaying the PVDF tribo-contact layer by a dielectric low permittivity spunbond non-woven polypropylene raises the performance of the nanogenerator more than doubled (624 V) with corresponding densities of 61 +/- 7 mu Acm(-2) and 101 +/- 4 mu Cm-2.

Automated summary

This study reports on the unique dual electrification properties of biaxially oriented silica-filled polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET) films, which are widely used as food packaging materials and can effectively convert mechanical energy into electricity. By assembling and testing a hybrid piezoelectric triboelectric nanogenerator energy harvester using this film as an electron source, the performance of the nanogenerator has been significantly improved.