Improving the Output Performance of Bacterial Cellulose-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators by Modulating the Surface Potential in a Simple Method

Abstract

Bio-triboelectric nanogenerators have attracted much attention due to their applications in wearable and implantable electronic devices. Recently, cellulose-based nanogenerators have become a competing research topic, while the low output performance limits their application. In this work, an eco-friendly and recyclable bacterial cellulose-based triboelectric nanogenerator (BC-TENG) with enhanced output performance was represented. The surface potential of BC film was controlled by dip-coating hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) solution. After dip-coating, the maximum short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, and transferred charge of 8.68 μA, 76.61 V, and 26.92 nC of the BC/HEC-TENG were achieved, respectively, much higher than those of pure BC-TENG. Additionally, the TENG demonstrated outstanding electrical output stability and durability, and it is effectively capable of serving as a self-powered sensor to detect human movement posture and power electronics. This work confirms the feasibility of manipulating the surface potential as an effective way of developing high-performance TENGs and offers insights for designing novel bio-tribomaterial in the advancement of eco-friendly TENGs.