All-in-one cellulose based triboelectric nanogenerator for electronic paper using simple filtration process

Abstract

Cellulose is one of the emerging materials as a natural polymer. In this work, cellulose nanofiber is utilized as a dielectric layer in triboelectric nanogenerator. To retain the flexibility of the fabricated paper, Ag nanowires layer is employed for electrode material and counter triboelectric layer simultaneously. This triboelectric nanogenerator is fabricated by a filtration process with different cellulose nanofiber and Ag nanowire condition. This triboelectric nanogenerator operates by contacting and separating of only two same bilayer paper consisting of cellulose nanofiber and Ag nanowire. Cellulose nanofiber and Ag nanowires layer acting as not only triboelectric layer and counter-triboelectric layer but substrate and electrode respectively. The case of cellulose nanofiber solution homogenized with 20 passes in 1000 bar and Ag nanowire with 0.1 wt% solution shows the optimal peak corresponding to 21 V of open-circuit voltage and 2.5 µA of short-circuit current. The maximum power output represents the value of 693 mW/m2 for a 10 MΩ external resistance. Fabricated device is dispersed and completely dissolved in deionized water by using sonicator for 30 min and returns to original ingredient without producing any pollutant. This nanogenerator plays roles of not only harvesting ambient energy but folding sensor, humidity sensor, and e-paper-like device due to the paper-like characteristics and nano-porous of cellulose nanofiber and Ag nanowires.