Electrostatic-driven self-assembled chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs)/MXene films for triboelectric nanogenerator

Abstract

With the rapid development of smart wearable electronics, self-powered devices are urgently needed to overcome the limitations of conventional power sources. The single electrode triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) attracts much attention owing to its simple fabrication, carrying convenience, and easy use as a power source for wearable electronic devices. Herein, a flexible, responsive, and multifunctional single electrode TENG based on renewable chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs) and MXene composite film (CM-TENG) is developed. ChNCs act as interfacial adhesives to facilitate the assembly of the MXene nanosheets, which significantly improves the composite film's mechanical properties and electrical conductivity. Positively charged ChNCs neutralize the negative charges of MXene nanosheet surfaces, enabling the composite film to rapidly transfer charges during the electrostatic induction process. The output performance of the CM-TENG can achieve 99.5 mW m−2 power density so it can be utilized for self-powered strain and tactile sensors. This work presents a new strategy for constructing stable and flexible power sources and self-powered sensors via electrostatic-driven self-assembled of ChNCs and MXene, which shows promising application in low frequency mechanical energy harvesting and self-powered wearable electronics.