Robust Swing‐Structured Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Efficient Blue Energy Harvesting

TLDR

Ocean wave energy is a promising renewable source, yet harvesting its irregular, ultra‑low‑frequency output remains difficult, making triboelectric nanogenerators a compelling solution. This study presents a robust swing‑structured triboelectric nanogenerator (SS‑TENG) designed to achieve high energy‑conversion efficiency for ultra‑low‑frequency water‑wave harvesting. The SS‑TENG’s internal swing extends operation time and multiplies output frequency, while an optimized air gap and flexible dielectric brushes reduce frictional resistance and sustain triboelectric charges, boosting robustness and durability. The device maintains a 88‑second swing, high efficiency, and unchanged performance after 400 000 cycles, successfully harvesting wave energy to power portable electronics and demonstrating suitability for large‑scale blue‑energy deployment.

Abstract

Abstract Ocean wave energy is a promising renewable energy source, but harvesting such irregular, “random,” and mostly ultra‐low frequency energies is rather challenging due to technological limitations. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) provide a potential efficient technology for scavenging ocean wave energy. Here, a robust swing‐structured triboelectric nanogenerator (SS‐TENG) with high energy conversion efficiency for ultra‐low frequency water wave energy harvesting is reported. The swing structure inside the cylindrical TENG greatly elongates its operation time, accompanied with multiplied output frequency. The design of the air gap and flexible dielectric brushes enable mininized frictional resistance and sustainable triboelectric charges, leading to enhanced robustness and durability. The TENG performance is controlled by external triggering conditions, with a long swing time of 88 s and a high energy conversion efficiency, as well as undiminished performance after continuous triggering for 4 00 000 cycles. Furthermore, the SS‐TENG is demonstrated to effectively harvest water wave energy. Portable electronic devices are successfully powered for self‐powered sensing and environment monitoring. Due to the excellent performance of the distinctive mechanism and structure, the SS‐TENG in this work provides a good candidate for harvesting blue energy on a large scale.