A spongy electrode-brush-structured dual-mode triboelectric nanogenerator for harvesting mechanical energy and self-powered trajectory tracking

Exploiting novel triboelectric nanogenerator (TENGs) with merits of high environmental adaptability, structural sustainability and multimode operating has gaied increasing attention. In this work, a conductive sponge (CS) electrode-brush-structured TENG is reported for the first time as a dual-mode mechanical energy harvester and self-powered sensor. The CS, prepared via a route of chemical plating followed with electroplating, has an interconnected porous network structure with high flexibility, elasticity and surface area. The implemented CS based TENGs in both contact-separation and sliding mode achieve a high electrical performance, excellent mechanical response sensitivity, and environmental adaptability. Besides, a trajectory tracking sensor matrix has been demonstrated based on CS units. The superior real-time monitoring and integral trajectory recording, as well as the unique self-power, indicate the CS-based TENG has great potential in self-powered trajectory tracking. This study introduces a new TENG configuration that reveals a remarkable performance in energy harvesting and self-powered sensing, which provides a new approach to the future intelligent technology.