Toward Large-Scale Energy Harvesting by a Nanoparticle-Enhanced Triboelectric Nanogenerator

TLDR

The study presents a simple, cost‑effective, scalable method to fabricate a triboelectric nanogenerator that delivers ultrahigh electric output. The device, powered by common ambient mechanical energy such as human footfalls, is palm‑sized and can produce a short‑circuit current of 2 mA, delivering up to 1.2 W to an external load. The generator achieves an area power density of 313 W m⁻², a volume density of 54,268 W m⁻³, an open‑circuit voltage of ~1200 V, and 14.9 % efficiency, enough to light 600 LEDs and demonstrating its suitability for harvesting large‑scale mechanical energy such as footsteps, wheels, wind, and waves.

Abstract

This article describes a simple, cost-effective, and scalable approach to fabricate a triboelectric nanogenerator (NG) with ultrahigh electric output. Triggered by commonly available ambient mechanical energy such as human footfalls, a NG with size smaller than a human palm can generate maximum short-circuit current of 2 mA, delivering instantaneous power output of 1.2 W to external load. The power output corresponds to an area power density of 313 W/m(2) and a volume power density of 54,268 W/m(3) at an open-circuit voltage of ~1200 V. An energy conversion efficiency of 14.9% has been achieved. The power was capable of instantaneously lighting up as many as 600 multicolor commercial LED bulbs. The record high power output for the NG is attributed to optimized structure, proper materials selection and nanoscale surface modification. This work demonstrated the practicability of using NG to harvest large-scale mechanical energy, such as footsteps, rolling wheels, wind power, and ocean waves.