Crepe cellulose paper and nitrocellulose membrane-based triboelectric nanogenerators for energy harvesting and self-powered human-machine interaction

Abstract

Cellulose-derived materials have gained a lot of attention for applications in advanced electronics because they are abundant, low cost, lightweight, and sustainable. Herein, we report a paper-based triboelectric nanogenerator (P-TENG) using commercially available materials derived from cellulose by a facile and cost-effective approach. Print paper is used as the substrate, while crepe cellulose paper (CCP) paired with a nitrocellulose membrane (NCM) are used as the friction layers of the P-TENG. CCP and NCM have significantly different tribopolarities and microstructures (i.e., corrugated and porous structures for CPP and NCM, respectively), thereby yielding P-TENGs with outstanding triboelectric performance. For instance, we have demonstrated P-TENGs with an output voltage and current of 196.8 V and 31.5 μA, respectively, a high power density of 16.1 W/m2, and a robust durability of more than 10,000 cycles. The P-TENGs, as a sustainable power source, can power various electronic devices. Moreover, their great potential applications in self-powered sensing and human–machine interfaces have been demonstrated. Human motion, like a finger touch, can be detected by the P-TENG. A keyboard based on an array of P-TENGs is able to achieve self-powered, real-time communication between a Paper Piano and a computer. This study not only combines the advantages of CCP and NCM to produce high-performance P-TENGs, but also demonstrates the feasibility of using commercially available products to prepare green and sustainable electronics.