All-aerosol-sprayed high-performance transparent triboelectric nanogenerator with embedded charge-storage layer for self-powered invisible security IoT system and raindrop-solar hybrid energy harvester

Abstract

Practical utilization of the triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), which have unique advantageous aspects of a simple operation mechanism, material selection diversity, and high energy conversion efficiency, requires high functionality as well as a scalable fabrication to broaden the applicable fields. Here, we report the concept of all-aerosol-sprayed transparent TENG (ST-TENG) by sequentially spraying total three layers of a silver nanowire conductive layer, transparent polystyrene charge-storage layer, and fluoropolymer contact layer. All layers were achieved by aerosol spray process, thereby exhibiting high design flexibility enough to fabricate ST-TENGs on various pre-made commercial devices. The presence of the transparent polystyrene layer as a charge storing interlayer significantly enhances the power density of the ST-TENG up to 818 mW/m2. As proof-of-concept applications, a self-powered invisible security internet-of-things system, which could blend with the surroundings, exploited biomechanical energy from foot-step for energy harvesting and invasion sensing. Furthermore, by exploiting the all-aerosol-spray process and high light transmittance of the ST-TENG, a hybrid energy harvester to simultaneously generate electricity from solar and rain energy was directly fabricated on a commercial solar panel. This work provides the brand-new concept of TENG with a scalable in-situ fabrication process, enhanced performance, and outstanding light transmittance.