Engineered and Laser‐Processed Chitosan Biopolymers for Sustainable and Biodegradable Triboelectric Power Generation

TLDR

Triboelectric nanogenerators have improved power output, yet economical and biocompatible use remains limited, and chitosan, an abundant marine biopolymer, offers low‑cost, biodegradable potential, while laser‑treated biopolymer films enable surface engineering for TENGs. Here, the development of biodegradable and flexible TENGs based on chitosan is presented for the first time. The physical and chemical properties of chitosan nanocomposites are systematically studied and engineered for optimized triboelectric power generation, and laser processing of constituent materials is explored to further enhance TENG performance. The chitosan‑based TENGs demonstrate efficient energy conversion and tunable biodegradation, offering an economically viable and ecologically friendly route to flexible, self‑powered nanosystems for biomedical and environmental applications.

Abstract

Recent advances achieved in triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) focus on boosting power generation and conversion efficiency. Nevertheless, obstacles concerning economical and biocompatible utilization of TENGs continue to prevail. Being an abundant natural biopolymer from marine crustacean shells, chitosan enables exciting opportunities for low-cost, biodegradable TENG applications in related fields. Here, the development of biodegradable and flexible TENGs based on chitosan is presented for the first time. The physical and chemical properties of the chitosan nanocomposites are systematically studied and engineered for optimized triboelectric power generation, transforming the otherwise wasted natural materials into functional energy devices. The feasibility of laser processing of constituent materials is further explored for the first time for engineering the TENG performance. The laser treatment of biopolymer films offers a potentially promising scheme for surface engineering in polymer-based TENGs. The chitosan-based TENGs present efficient energy conversion performance and tunable biodegradation rate. Such a new class of TENGs derived from natural biomaterials may pave the way toward the economically viable and ecologically friendly production of flexible TENGs for self-powered nanosystems in biomedical and environmental applications.