Flexible Sponge-Based Nanogenerator for Energy Harvesting from Land and Water Transportation

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) devices with high robustness are promising in collecting powerful energy. In this study, highly elastic and pressure-resistance sponge fabricated TENG capable of adapting to high strength impact in land and water transportation and scalable for any shape is demonstrated for harvesting wave energy and mechanical energy. The polydimethylsiloxane sponge prepared by sacrificial template method has interconnected network and large size ratio of cavity-wall suitable for contact and separation. The operation modes of self-contact and extra-contact collaborating with MXene in electron transfer provide options for different operating conditions. The polydopamine-MXene modification of the sponge enables higher output due to the combination of the electronegativity, excellent adhesion, and antioxidant ability. Sponges are used to collect mechanical energy and applied for TENG-powered cathodic protection, making the 304 stainless steel (304 SS, & phi; = 2 mm) electrode enter a thermodynamic stable state. What's more, the work also tries the universal strategies of program monitoring wave in the water tank and harvests the mechanical energy created by cars and passers-by, which enrich the applications of sponge TENG.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates a highly elastic and pressure-resistant sponge-based triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) capable of collecting wave energy and mechanical energy. The sponge, prepared using sacrificial template method, has an interconnected network and large cavity-wall ratio suitable for contact and separation. The combination of self-contact, extra-contact, and MXene electron transfer modes, along with the polydopamine-MXene modification, enhances the TENG's output power. The sponge is used for mechanical energy harvesting and TENG-powered cathodic protection, and also for monitoring waves in water tanks and collecting mechanical energy from vehicles and pedestrians, expanding the applications of sponge TENG.