High-Output Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Dual Inductive and Resonance Effects-Controlled Highly Transparent Polyimide for Self-Powered Sensor Network Systems

High-output triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are demonstrated based on polyimide (PI)-based polymers by introducing functionalities (e.g., electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups) into the backbone. The TENG based on 6FDA-APS PI, possessing the most negative electrostatic potential and the low-lying lowest unoccupied molecular orbital level, produces the highest effective charge density of about 860 mu C m(-2) in practical working conditions with the ion injection process. This may be ascribed to the excellent charge-retention characteristics as well as the enhanced charge transfer capability, which increases the output power by 7 times compared to the commercially available Kapton film-based TENG. Finally, a 6FDA-APS-driven sensor network system is demonstrated, providing the identity of three gases (H-2, CO, and NO2) by illuminating the light-emitting diodes within several seconds.