A high performance triboelectric nanogenerator based on ordered doping technique for human-machine interaction sensing

Abstract

In order to solve the inherent problems of conventional nanoparticle doping, such as the mixed sizes and shapes of micro pores, chaotic arrangement of particles in micro pores and internal triboelectric field cancellation, we proposed a new scheme to efficiently increase the charge density by combining micro-nano machining technology with nanoparticle doping technology. A charge trap model formed by the friction inside the film was constructed by implementing directional doping in ordered micro pores. The effects of the size of micro pores, the concentration of doping particles (titanium dioxide nanoparticles TiO2) and the number of triboelectric layers on the external electric performance of the film were then systematically studied. The results show that a sustainable and enhanced transfer charge of about 428.3 nC was produced on the triboelectric nanogenerator with regular doped TiO2 in 80 µm holes, which was over 3.7-folds higher than that of conventional triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). The peak power of the TENG with regular doped TiO2 nanoparticles increased from 0.78 to 5.49 mW (~7.04 times higher). Then, the capability of the TENG with regular doped TiO2 nanoparticles in powering portable electrics was demonstrated by lighting up 235 LEDs and powering a thermometer. Importantly, the film can be easily integrated into human body for condition signals detection and human-machine interaction sensing in wireless control system. Our findings may offer new insights into the output characteristics of TENGs and accelerate their commercialization and application.