Hybrid Aerogel Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on the Synergistic Effect of Solid-Solid/Gas-Solid Triboelectricity and Piezoelectric Polarization

Aerogels, due to their unique interconnected 3D networks,and largenumber of air-filled pores, extend the structural characteristicsand physicochemical properties of the nanoscale to the macro level.However, aerogels made from a single component can hardly meet theneeds of multifunctional energy harvesting/supply situations. Here,a BaTiO3-based hybrid aerogel (BTO HA) with 3D networkstructure was prepared. When the BTO HA is used as the electrode oftriboelectric nanogenerator (BTO HA-TENG), high electrical outputperformances were obtained, which is due to the synergistic effectof solid-solid contact electrifications between the two electrificationlayers, the gas-solid contact electrifications between theinner surface of BTO HA and the air filled in the aerogel pores, andthe piezoelectricity of the doped BaTiO3 nanoparticles.The BTO HA-TENG exhibited excellent fatigue resistance and structuralstability after 12,000 cycles of alternatively contact/separationtests, and it can not only provide stable power supply for commercialcapacitors, drive small mobile electronic devices but also can beused as a self-powered sensor to monitor human motion signals. Comparedwith traditional TENGs depending on surface charge transfer, the BTOHA-TENG exhibited its unique advantage that it can generate and transfertriboelectric charges by 3D volume, which boost TENGs' electricaloutput performances.

Automated summary

By preparing a barium titanate (BaTiO3)-based hybrid aerogel (BTO HA), high electrical output performances can be achieved due to the synergistic effect of solid-solid contact electrifications, gas-solid contact electrifications, and the piezoelectricity of the doped BaTiO3 nanoparticles. The BTO HA-TENG exhibited excellent fatigue resistance and structural stability, and can be used for stable power supply, driving electronic devices, and monitoring human motion signals. Compared to traditional TENGs, the BTO HA-TENG has the unique advantage of generating and transferring triboelectric charges in a 3D volume, thereby boosting its electrical output performances.