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Harnessing Energy Through ZnO-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator: A Comparative Analysis of Polymer Materials, with Emphasis on PVDF Nanofibers

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Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG), which efficiently capture and convert mechanical energy, offer an innovative solution for develo** green energy sources. In this work, we developed a zinc oxide (ZnO)-based TENG for use in vertical contact-separation mode by combining it with several polymers (polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE], fluorinated ethylene propylene [FEP], polydimethylsiloxane [PDMS], polyethylene terephthalate [PET], polyethylene naphthalate [PEN], polyvinylidene difluoride [PVDF]) and mica. Radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering was used to fabricate ZnO thin films with higher optical transmission and c-axis orientation. When combined with mica and PEN, ZnO behaves as a negative tribo layer, while when combined with the other polymers, it behaves as a positive tribo layer. ZnO with PVDF nanofibers generated maximum output, with an open-circuit voltage of 42 V. To determine the maximum power density and energy storage performance, the ZnO-PVDF TENG response was examined under various load conditions of resistance and capacitance. The power density was calculated using this device and found to be 62 µW/cm2. Furthermore, the manufactured TENG was demonstrated to power a digital watch and LEDs.

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Acknowledgments

P. Hajara is grateful for the NREF fellowship received from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). M. R. Shijeesh expresses gratitude to the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC), for the CMNPDF grant. The authors would like to thank the Kerala government for supporting us financially through the PLEASE project. We also thank DST-PURSE for financial support in investing in the RF magnetron sputtering apparatus. We also acknowledge the Department of Physics, CUSAT for providing FESEM facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International School of Photonics, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, 22, India

    P. Hajara, M. R. Shijeesh, K. V. Vijoy, T. Priya Rose & K. J. Saji

  2. Inter-University Centre for Nanomaterials and Devices, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, 22, India

    T. Priya Rose & K. J. Saji

  3. Centre of Excellence in Advanced Materials, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, 22, India

    K. J. Saji

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Hajara, P., Shijeesh, M.R., Vijoy, K.V. et al. Harnessing Energy Through ZnO-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator: A Comparative Analysis of Polymer Materials, with Emphasis on PVDF Nanofibers. J. Electron. Mater. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-024-11223-5

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